Lucky to be alive after mob attack
A Protestant teenager was left for DEAD when he was abandoned in a republican stronghold - by HIS OWN taxi driver. Stephen Donaghy, from Blacks Road, in west Belfast, suffered serious injuries, after he and a pal were set upon by a 30-strong mob on the Andersonstown Road, early yesterday.
Although his friend managed to escape, Stephen was knocked unconscious, after he was repeatedly kicked and punched on the head. The thugs also hurled full beercans at the two pals.
Said Stephen: "I can't believe this has happened to me. "I had just dropped off two Catholic friends of mine, and thought I was on my way home. "I knew something was funny when the taxi driver asked where we were from, and then made excuses about having to meet his brother for something.
"The next thing, he stopped the car outside a chippy, grabbed a baseball bat, opened the door and started calling us Orange b******s. He knew the crowd were waiting for us, and we had no other option but to get out of the car. The next thing I remember is the punches and kicks flying in on my head. "I am still in a daze about the whole thing."
Stephen was sharing a taxi with three friends before two were dropped off on the Glen Road. But, when he was on his way home, the taxi driver started quizzing him, before suddenly stopping in the hardline republican area. Stephen was rescued by two passersby and was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where his condition was last night described as "stable".
He is now waiting to see a specialist over fears that his right eye may be permanently damaged. But, he believes that he is very lucky to be alive. Added Stephen: "I tried to get away, but they kept kicking and punching me. "The next thing I remember is waking up, and these two fellas helping me - I probably owe them my life.
"I can't see out my of my right eye and I just hope I won't be blinded by the attack. "The mob were like animals - they were determined to kill us. "I've no doubt the taxi driver knew that, by dropping us off, we could have ended up being killed. I have no interest in religion and was just out to enjoy myself. "I have never been in a situation like this before, and it is one I never want to experience again."
The taxi driver was believed to be driving a red-coloured car, and police at Woodbourne have appealed for information. Said a spokesman: "Police at Woodbourne did move a crowd on in the Andersonstown Road area on Saturday morning, and would appeal for anyone with information on this attack to come forward.
_________________ IDFIMH
|