A pensioner last night said he is lucky to be alive after his home was targeted by ‘evil’ arsonists at the weekend.

By Connla Young

connla@derrypost.com

Frank Tierney (81), his wife Maureen Tierney (70), and their son Kevin were all sleeping in her Josephine Avenue home around 2.30am on Sunday when the arsonists pushed three blazing wheelie bins against the wall of their bungalow.

The attackers also tried to torch a nearby oil tank.

The family only became aware of the vicious blaze when police hammered on their door in a desperate bid to get them out of the house.

It is understood a passing patrol noticed two people running from the scene and when they went to investigate they found the house had been set alight.

The PSNI were on high alert after another house was attacked by arsonists at Thiepval Court a short time earlier.

Plucky pensioner Frank Tierney said he had been shaken by the terrifying episode.

“We are very lucky to be alive,” he said.

“It upset us very much that somebody could come along with such evil ideas in their heads to destroy people’s property and lives.”

Kevin Tierney said his family had a lucky escape.

“It was a very frightening experience especially for my parents,” he said.

“Everybody is shook up a bit. We would all have slept through it if it had not been for the police. Another five minutes and the house would have been well alight.”

A spokeswoman for the PSNI said the incidents may be connected.

“Police are treating both incidents as arson. Initial enquiries suggest that they are connected,” she said.

There have been over 20 arson attacks in Limavady so far this year.

A young Desertmartin boy has returned with a special present for hospital staff who cared for him over the past year.

By Ciaran O’Neill

editor@derrypost.com

Kevin McStravick had three spells in Musgrave Park Hospital in the past year for treatment on a serious hip injury.

His mother, Martina, was so pleased at the treatment Kevin received, she decided to take part in the Belfast marathon to raise money for the hospital.

Martina and her friend, Kate Breen, managed to raise £1,000 through their efforts.

And Kevin and his family recently returned to the hospital to thank staff personally and hand over the cheque.

One of Ireland’s top bands will headline the Glasgowbury festival in Draperstown next month.

By Orla McNicholl

orla@derrypost.com

Organisers of the Glasgowbury festival have announced that rock band Ash will headline the event.

The Downpatrick band is currently touring their latest album ‘Twilight of the innocents’ worldwide.

Their upcoming gig at the Glasgowbury festival is the only Northern Ireland date they have planned this year so July 26 promises to be an unforgettable event in the Sperrins.

Alternative rock band Ash, whose hits include ‘Sometimes,’ ‘Shining Light’ and ‘Burn Baby Burn,’which currently features as the BBC’s theme tune to Euro 2008, will be performing live in the heart of the Sperrins at Eagles’ Rock. 

The Glasgowbury music festival, now in its eighth year started off as a gathering of local bands and songwriters who performed a concert to help raise awareness for the Ulster Cancer Foundation charity.

The event is now bigger than ever, attracting hundreds of musicians and fans every summer.

The festival line up is now complete with over 50 artists confirmed including, Fighting with Wire, Oppenheimer, The Delawares, Joe Echo and Superfreakz.

Tickets to this much anticipated event are strictly limited, so organisers advise that concert book early.  Tickets cost £30 (including camping) or £25 (day ticket only) and are available from www.wegottickets.com or can be booked in advance from a number of regional outlets.

A Dungiven woman is recovering after being involved in a hit and run accident at the weekend.

By Connla Young

connla@derrypost.com

The woman, aged in her 50’s, was struck by a car at Main Street Dunigiven at around 3.50am on Sunday.

The vehicle sped from the scene of the accident.

It is understood the woman was treated at the scene by paramedics.

Although not requiring hospital treatment, the woman is understood to have suffered injuries to a thumb and a leg.

Police have confirmed that a man was later interviewed in relation to the incident and released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service.

A spokesperson for the PSNI said: “Police are investigating a hit and run collision involving a car and a pedestrian on Main Street, Dungiven during the early hours of Sunday.”

Collections have been held at churches in Magherafelt parish to raise cash in a bid to save the life of a nine month old baby from the town.

By Connla Young

Connla@derrypost.com

Little Katie Maguire suffers from intractable epilepsy which causes violent fits every day.

Her parents, Gary McCann and Mekila Maguire, have both left work to care for their baby daughter and are trying to raise £250,000so she can get specialist treatment in America.

The distraught parents say Katie’s “best hope” of a healthy life rests with her getting the medical attention she desperately needs.

The level of treatment and expertise Katie requires is not available on the National Health Service, forcing the family to look abroad for help.

With each debilitating seizure, the development of Katie’s brain is significantly impacted reducing her capacity to develop fully.

The terrible nature of the child’s condition means she cannot see, eat or swallow.

Katie’s father Gary says his family has been boosted by the generosity of local people.

“The response to the chapel collection was brilliant. Some people have come forward to do things for us. We will take all the help we can get.”

As part of the fundraising effort, Katie’s parents have set up a website www.keepbabykatieawake.com.

Police in Magherafelt have launched a probe after two suspicious fires were started in Magherafelt at the weekend.

By Connla Young

connla@derrypost.com

In the most serious incident, extensive damage was caused to the front of an office block at Queen’s Avenue.

It is understood the fire was started after a wheelie bin was pushed against the front of the building and set alight.

The vicious blaze destroyed a porch and smoke damage was caused to the interior of the building. Firefighters later managed to bring the fire under control.

In the second incident, a member of the public was forced to put out a fire at Meeting Street after two wheelie bins were set alight at the rear of a house. There were no injuries during either incident.

It is understood a group of youths were seen in the vicinity of both incidents shortly before the fires were started.

A spokeswoman for the PSNI said: “Police are working to establish a motive for the incidents and enquiries are ongoing.”

South Derry man Finbar McClements fell for his bride-to-be in style last week when he ‘dropped in’ for his big day.

By Connla Young

connla@derrypost.com

Lavey man Finbar (29), was literally floating on air when he skydived into his wedding at Portglenone last Friday.

The dare devil groom made a spectacular landing in field close to Saint Mary’s chapel. Diving pals Sean Carroll, Francis Mullan and Peter Lehane made the jump with him.

And although it was Finbar’s 154th parachute jump, it was certainly the biggest leap the Lavey man has ever taken.

Waiting in the wings, and with two feet firmly on the ground, was his bride to be Fiona Dillon.

“I had been talking about doing it and joking but the more I talked the more I realised it would be a good idea and I just went for it. I suppose it was a different way of coming into the wedding.”

And Finbar said his waiting bride to be was suitably impressed.

“She was even more impressed when I got to the alter without a limp,” he laughed.

Finbar’s brother and joint best man, Dominic, said it was a day to remember.

“Skydiving is one of his great loves,” he said. “He has done it loads of times before and he wanted to combine the two to make the day a lot more special.”

The happy couple later enjoyed a reception at the Leighinmohr in Ballymena and will head to Italy for their honeymoon.

A 70 year old grandfather from Swatragh has cycled over 400 miles this week to help raise funds for charity.

By Orla McNicholl

orla@derrypost.com

John McKeefry, who has been living in Coleraine for over 30 years, started his cycle in the most southerly point of Ireland at Mizen Head, Cork on May 29 and finished up at Malin Head, Donegal yesterday afternoon.

All the money raised through John’s efforts will be donated to the Neurofibromatosis Association of Ireland.

John first took up cycling as a past time when he was presented with a mountain bike as a present from his three children for his 60^th birthday. 

He was encouraged to take part in the cycle to raise funds for NF Ireland as he has two grandchildren living with the condition.

The event, which involved five days cycling doing an average of over 80 miles per day required a great deal of stamina and determination, but the challenge of cycling the length of Ireland has brought John a new level of fitness.

John’s training for the cycle began in March and his furthest cycle prior to Thursday’s first leg of 100 miles was a 78 mile cycle in early May.  John could be seen regularly cycling on the highways and byways of County Derry in training for the cycle.

The cyclists participating in the Mizen to Malin cycle are expected to pay all their own expenses and raise a minimum of £600 which will go towards funding the 2008 NF Europe conference.

To date John has raised over £1400 and expects to raise a little more upon his return from Malin Head.