A FAMILY whose house was targeted in a late-night gun attack have said they will have to leave their west Belfast home of 30 years as they are no longer safe.
George Richmond said his family have been subjected to several years of harassment, with three cars previously destroyed in arson attacks.
Shortly after midnight on Monday, two masked men approached the house on Dermott Hill Parade and fired seven shots at the front window and door, causing extensive damage.
Security cameras fitted around the property captured the attack, with the weapon belonging to one of the gunmen jamming before they were seen running off.
Mr Richmond (59) said the trouble started after his son, who had a drug problem, attracted the attention of a republican vigilante group.
"My son was having serious problems. We went everywhere, lobbied anyone we could think of and eventually, with a lot of persuasion, got him into a treatment programme," he said.
"I'm glad to say he's doing great, he's clean from all the illegal drugs and has moved out into his own place.
"There's just me and my wife here now, we're by ourselves, but the people who were targeting my son and my family don't seem to care about that.
"We have the full support of our neighbours, we've been here 30 years and have good support, but I think that it's reached a tipping point now.
"Police have told us we're not safe here, we don't feel safe. My wife isn't well at all, she'd a heart attack last year with all the stress of everything that's going on."
Forensic officers examined the scene yesterday and removed bullet casings for testing.
Police have appealed for anyone who was in the area at the time and has any information to come forward.
Mr Richmond said he will now have to put his home up for sale and move elsewhere.
"I don't know what else we can do, it doesn't look like this is going to stop and we need to go before someone is killed or seriously injured," he said.
"These people have never asked for money or anything like that, I think they've just decided to drive us out of this area at any cost.
"And so we're going to have to sell our house and go. It's sad but that's better than the stress of staying always worrying about what will happen next."
