A Dungiven woman has challenged vandals who smashed her car windows last weekend to come and meet her face to face.
Carmel Moore has branded those who threw large rocks through the back passenger and rear windows of her Citroen C4 car in the early hours of Sunday, September 5 as “scum”.
Carmel says she doesn’t know why anyone would target her car, which was parked outside her Rannyglas home.
Last night Carmel urged those responsible for the attack to come forward and tell her why they done it.
“I want the scumbags who done this to come to me, a defenceless woman, and tell me face to face what I done to them to deserve this,” said Carmel.
Now Carmel faces an expensive bill to replace the glass and valet the vehicle, which she primarily uses for transporting her grandchildren to and from school.
“I can’t let my grandchildren into the car,” said Carmel.
“My hands were full of glass from cleaning out the car on Sunday. My grandchildren are my life so I won’t be putting their lives at risk.”
A PSNI spokesperson has asked anyone with information about the attack to contact police.

A major charity cycling event will take place in Limavady next week.
The Limavady Cycle Challenge, starting and finishing at Roe Valley Country Park, will be held on Saturday, September 25, from 10am for the 50km route and 11am for the 10km route.
All funds raised will help to provide high quality nursing care for cancer patients at home, or in the Marie Curie Hospice in Belfast where care is provided free of charge.
If you own a bike and fancy a fun day out or a bit of a challenge the Limavady Cycle Challenge is just for you. You’ll have a great day out with friends and family and while you’re cycling you will be helping to make a real difference to the lives of cancer patients and their families.
Whether you are amateurs, professionals, groups, individuals or families we would be only too delighted to hear from you.
If you are an experienced cyclist, or would like a challenge, the 50km route which starts at 10am would be ideal as it is suitable for cyclists with a range of abilities – aged 16 and over.
Leaving and finishing at Roe Valley Country Park, you will pass through Burnfoot and Gortnahey where you will take in spectacular views of the Binevenagh and Benbradagh Mountains, as well as the Sperrins and Lough Foyle.
The 10km route leaves Roe Valley Country Park at 11am leading onto back country roads taking in spectacular views of Benbradagh Mountain and is suitable for families and novice cyclists.
Marie Curie Cancer Care provides high quality nursing, totally free, to give terminally ill people the choice of dying at home supported by their families.
If you fancy taking part in this great outdoors event please contact 02882249888 for further details.
 

A recent pony drive which was held in Desertmartin has been hailed a success after raising a massive £7,070 for charity.
Desertmartin and Loughshore Pony Clubs annual charity pony drive was held on Sunday, August 8 to raise funds for the children’s cancer unit at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital.
The fundraiser saw ponies and their drivers leave Cullion Hall and travel through Draperstown, Tobermore and Desertmartin before returning to Cullion.
On their return participants and onlookers were treated to refreshments in the hall which was followed by a grand auction and raffle which raised the fantastic sum of money.
A spokesperson for the pony club said they were blessed with a fine summer’s day which brought the crowd out.
“Special thanks to all who supported this event, donated prizes and or gave monetary contributions, all pony club members who participated, those who assisted with tea and refreshments, the ticket sellers and purchasers, the auctioneer and also the compere,” said the spokesperson.
“Sincere thanks to each and everyone for your generosity and kindness which helped to make this event such a huge success. Thank you.”
Prize winners of the grand charity draw were: Peter and Nuala Donnelly, Roshure Road (first), Stuart Elliot, Tobermore (second), F. Campbell, Draperstown (third), Corah Kerr, Draperstown (fourth), Brian Smith, Desertmartin (fifth), Bronagh Mullan, Coleraine (sixth), Peter McGuigan, Desertmartin (seventh), Anthony Donnelly, Cullion (eighth), Kieran Mitchell, Ballinderry (ninth) and Danny Murray, Iniscarn Road (tenth).

A County Derry postmistress has spoken of her horror after being confronted by a gun man yesterday morning during a robbery.
The terrifying raid took place at Drumsurn Post Office just before 10am.
Postmistress Brenda Chivers, who is a Sinn Féin councillor for Limavady and a former mayor of the borough, was working when a well built man wearing an army jacket which concealed his face entered the Drumsurn Road premises with what appeared to be a hand gun.
A customer who was collecting his pension at the time was taken to hospital yesterday to receive treatment following the ordeal.
Yesterday afternoon the post office remained closed and is not expected to reopen until today.
Speaking to the County Derry Post last night, a clearly shaken Mrs Chivers condemned those behind the robbery.
“It was a big shock and was very unexpected,” she said.
“You don’t expect something like this to happen on a Monday morning.
“The man came in and waved the gun and asked me to hand over the money. He pointed it at me and at the customer who was in collecting his pension.
“He got away with money but not too much.
“I hope he’s not from around here because this has left a lot of trauma in the community here. “Drumsurn is a small place and something like this affects the whole community.”

THE community of Swatragh is celebrating this week following the opening of their new state of the art playgroup.
Gran Tots officially opened its new nursery building, outdoor play area and sensory garden on Sunday, several years after they started their fundraising campaign.
The building was funded with £50,000 from the Big Lottery Fund’s People’s Millions programme and over £41,000 part funding under axes three and four of the Northern Ireland Rural Development programme by the European Union and DARD.
In 2008, Gran Tots applied to the People’s Millions contest and successfully made it through to the head-to-head public vote broadcast on UTV.
Thanks to the dedication of a team of volunteers who encouraged people to vote for the project, and the generosity and support of the wider community, the cross community playgroup secured the grant after receiving a massive 61,800 votes.
Playgroup leader Clare Cassidy said the funding was a lifeline to the group which was facing closure as their 23-year-old building had got beyond the stage of repair and maintenance.
“The building we were based in was past its best and it was starting to rot,” Clare said.
“We needed to make a change and we were just over the moon when we got the grant from the People’s Millions contest.
“The new building is a semi-permanent modular structure that was built off site. It is bright, colourful and spacious and features a large children’s playroom, kitchen, toilets, office and storerooms. It’s fantastic and means so much to the local community.”
Fiona Tohill, Gran Tots office administrator, said the new building would have a positive impact on the local community.
“This is a rural area and the parents rely on us to provide a professional and friendly environment for their children,” she said.
“Getting the new premises is simply fantastic – it has really made our dreams come true.”
The playgroup also extended their thanks to the Big Lottery and DARD for their support, the staff and the committee for their continued commitment and hard work and the local community for their backing.
“Without this funding this valuable service would have been lost to this rural community,” said Fiona.
“Now the children of Swatragh can enjoy the benefits of pre-school education for many years.”

A husband and wife from County Derry are set to go head to head this weekend in a 100k static cycle to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Care.
John and Emma McCann will take each other on during the fundraising event at the Meadowlane Shopping Centre in Magherafelt on Saturday, September 11.
The Moneymore couple, both members of Cookstown and Magherafelt Lions Club, are also hoping to raise awareness of Lions International by participating in the event.
The worldwide organisation is led by talented, dedicated volunteer leaders who help to fund humanitarian projects.
Just this year Emma was appointed as the first female vice president of the local club.
The Lions Club support many charities – one of them being Macmillan Cancer Care.
All money raised from Saturday’s event will go to the local branch of the charity which is working its way to complete the new Palliative Care Unit at Antrim Area Hospital.
Macmillan has agreed to maintain the unit over the next three years before the NHS take it over.
This involves raising another £800,000 and the charity hope to reach that target before the end of 2011 – their centenary year.
Explaining why she decided to take up the challenge, Emma said: “The way I look at it there’s hardly a family in the country or in the area that hasn’t been affected by cancer so a lot of people benefit from Macmillan.
“It is also a very popular charity in the Mid-Ulster area.”
During Saturday’s event Emma is hoping to beat her personal best of three hours and 48 minutes however she admits it will be a challenge as John is a seasoned cyclist.
Locals are being invited to come along to the Meadowlane Shopping Centre on Saturday to cheer on the couple as they kick off the exciting fundraiser at 11am.
“We both would appreciate people’s support and would invite everyone to come along on Saturday to cheer us on,” said Emma.
“It’ll be a bit of craic and a bit of a spectacle as well I would imagine.”
Representatives from the Lions Club and Macmillan will be at the Meadowlane on the day to provide information.
There will also be an opportunity to make a donation.

A group of cancer survivors from Dungiven are organizing a special charity walk next month.
The Dungiven fundraising committee of Cancer Research UK will host their annual walk on Saturday, October 2.
The local team of volunteers usually hold their autumn walk for research into breast cancer but this year they decided that they wanted all proceeds from the walk to go directly to the Cancer Research UK Centre in Belfast.
The committee are encouraging local people to join them at their “Walk Together 2010”.
The walk will make its way up to Banagher Dam and Forest, starting at 12 noon sharp from the car park.
Anne Marie O’Hagan chairperson of Dungiven Local Committee of Cancer Research UK, urged people to take part.
“This is a great opportunity to enjoy this ‘Area of Special Scientific Interest’ that’s on your doorstep, while raising funds for the world’s leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research.
“Please register to take part in our Walk Together Dungiven 2010, or simply join us on the day and make a donation.”
Glenda Milligan, Cancer Research UK’s Area Volunteer Manager for the West said: “The volunteers on this committee know only too well what a cancer diagnosis can mean, as five of the ten members are survivors, each with a different type of cancer – bowel, breast, skin, prostate and leukaemia.
“Having gone through the diagnosis and treatment, they are passionate about giving something back to help others.”
To register to take part in “Walk Together Dungiven 2010” phone Anne Marie on 07834381246, or Shauna on 07759803063.

Dozens of people have attended a public meeting to oppose plans to remove dozens of remains from a County Derry graveyard.
Over 100 Parishioners at Saint Columba’s church at Straw, near Draperstown, packed into the Rural College last Tuesday to hear a number of speakers voice their opposition to the controversial plan.
The meeting was called after it emerged that parish bosses plan to exhume a number of remains to make way for a new footpath as part of a blueprint to build a new primary school nearby.
Although no-one knows how many remains may have to be moved, a recent survey found there were 120 coffin spaces in the affected area.
A 12-person committee was established during the public meeting and it will co-ordinate the campaign to oppose the graveyard plan.
A number of people present at the meeting were keen to stress there was no opposition to the proposed Saint Columb’s Primary School at Corrick Road.
It was also decided that letters should be written to local parish priest, Colum Clerkin, the board of governors at Saint Columb’s Primary School and the Department of Education.
Those present also discussed the possibility of setting up a meeting with the Bishop of Derry, Dr Seamus Hegarty.
Dr Hegarty gave the plan his blessing last year but locals are hopeful they can force him to review the vexed issue.
Draperstown man Pat Kelly said the meeting was just the first step in a process.
He said: “This is a step on the journey and where it takes us I don’t know. No-one is opposed to the building of a school and no-one wants to be a hindrance to the education of any child or the building of any schools. But we will be a hindrance to the removing of graves in this grave yard.”
During the meeting one Draperstown man dramatically revealed how he wants to be buried in the graveyard when he dies.
The man said: “I have an uncle buried there and I want to buried in it as well and over my dead body will I see this grave go away.”
So far Catholic Church authorities have refused to comment on the controversy and have ignored all media enquiries.
Meanwhile it emerged last night the cost of removing the remains from the graveyard is included in the cash already set aside for the construction of Saint Columba’s Primary School.
A spokeswoman said: “The cost of exhuming the graves is included within the £2m for the capital build. The Department is working with the Parish to determine the extent of work required and costs.”

People across County Derry are being urged to attend a fundraising event to raise cash for the people of Gaza.
The event, which has been organised by People Before Profit, hopes all cash raised will be used to buy essential supplies which will be shipped into the region.
Gaza is currently under a strict embargo enforced by the Israeli military and people there are forced to live in poverty with little or no access to medical and other basic supplies.
In the past the United Nations has branded the blockade illegal while the International Committee of the Red Cross has also been critical.
Earlier this year nine Turkish peace campaigners were shot dead by Israeli soldiers after they boarded a ship carrying humanitarian aid to the 1.5 million people who live in Gaza.
Draperstown woman Brenda Bradley says any cash raised will be used to raise goods for a new aid flotilla which will sail for Gaza later this year.
She said: “We are holding an awareness night in Friday 3rd September, we will also be raising awareness about the situation in Palestine as well as funds for the next flotilla. The proceeds will go towards the Irish ship to Gaza Campaign.
“Those who comprise the Irish Ship to Gaza Campaign represent Irish people and organisations that aim to break this inhuman siege by being part of the Second Freedom Flotilla. We are fundraising to ensure that an Irish ship is among those that set out in October 2010 to break the illegal siege of Gaza. We will be presenting any money raised to Derry Friends of Palestine who are involved in the Irish ship to Gaza Campaign.
“On the night we will have Brid Smith from People Before Profit talking about the group and Patricia Campbell (Independent Workers Union) talking about the situation in Palestine. We will also have live music from Junior Johnson, Paddy Nash and the Happy Enchiladas and Electrisey.”
The fundraising event will take place at the Cellar Bar, Draperstown, on Friday, September 3. Doors will open at 8pm and entry is just £5. Everyone is welcome.

A group set up to help the grieving relatives of people killed in road traffic accidents is urging people to get behind a major fundraising event.
Road Angels Legacy was set up last year by a group of relatives whose loved ones have died as a result of accidents on our roads.
The group’s website allows people affected by road traffic accidents to access help and pay tributes to road accident victims.
The group also gives grieving relatives a chance to tell the story of their loved ones through their website.
In an effort to fund their activities the group has organised an Ultimate Fat Fight Championship, where competitors dress up as sumo wrestlers, to try and raise much needed cash.
Desertmartin woman Ciara McDaide lost her 18-year-old sister Michelle in a road traffic accident in September 2002.
Ciara, who is a founding member of Road Angels Legacy, urged people to support the worthy cause.
She said: “The website was set up to try to educate people about the reality of road traffic accidents. As time has gone on we have looked into the availability of support groups. Offering support and advice is something we would like to do in the long run.
“As a family, we are eight years on from the loss of Michelle and we understand what people have to cope with after they lose someone. As people who have experience we can act as a point of contact for other people who have lost someone. We would ask people to visit our website to see what we are about and to turn out to support us in our fundraising events.”
The ultimate fight sumo championship will take place in Desertmartin club on Saturday, October 2, at 8pm.
For more information contact Ciara on 07896538410 or visit www.roadangelslegacy.com.