SURGE OFVIOLENCE
IT'S only a matter of time before a young person dies a violent death in the borough.
Serious concerns have been raised after two young men were hospitalised in as many days after separate incidents on the outskirts of Lurgan.
On Monday night a youth was stabbed in the face with a broken bottle and left for dead in Taghnevan Close.
Less than 48 hours previously a young Craigavon man was fighting for his life after being found unconscious in Meadowbrook with serious head injuries.
According to local sources the incidents are the latest in a series of serious assaults on youths in the Meadowbrook area within the past few weeks, many of which haven't come to light.
In the latest incident a young man was found lying in the street early on Tuesday morning was apparently the victim of a stabbing with a broken bottle. It's believed the man may have been stabbed in the face in the Meadowbrook area on Monday night and made it to Taghnevan Close before he collapsed.
Police confirmed they had responded to reports that a man with minor injuries had been found Taghnevan Close on Tuesday morning. It's understood a formal complaint had not yet been received.
It comes after 17-year-old Craigavon man Martin O'Hagan was rushed to hospital with a fractured skull after he was found unconcious in Meadowbrook. His father Pat believes he was the victim of an assault.
Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd offered his support to the families of both young men and expressed his hope they will both make a complete recovery.
The MLA called on the public to do their part in bringing an end to these attacks before a fatality occurs.
Mr O'Dowd said of the series of recent assaults in Meadowbrook: "These incidents are the actions of a very small group of individuals who in no way reflect the attitudes of the majority of residents in this area and anyone with knowledge of these attacks or those behind them should immediately bring that information to the attention of the authorities before it is to late.
"These are apparently random attacks, the only motivation for which appears to be unmotivated violence. If action is not taken now it is only a matter of time until an innocent child is killed by these bullies."
For more on the weekend drama in the Meadowbrook estate see page 3
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Weather for Lurgan
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
