BY COLM BRADLEY

A young mother has taken the drastic decision to move herself and her young son out of their home following what she alleges to be an ongoing campaign of sectarian abuse and victimisation against her.

The house along with another property in Coleshill Crescent, Enniskillen, was attacked on Saturday night. At around 11:40pm windows were smashed and slogans, such as 'CFF' (Coleshill Freedom Fighters) and 'UDA', (Ulster Defence Association) were sprayed on both properties. Fortunately, there was nobody in either house at the time of the attack.

Two males were seen in the area, one wearing a beige top, the other a dark jacket, and police have asked for anyone with any information to contact them.

Police were able to confirm yesterday that they are investigating the possibility that these attacks were sectarian in motive.

"Our investigations are ongoing," said a Police spokesman, "and we would say that we exploring all possible avenues. One line of enquiry that we are investigating is the possibility that these attacks were sectarian in nature."

This is the second time in a short few weeks that police have been called to these properties. According to the occupants, the Police were called during the early hours of Sunday, August the 26th as windows had been broken at both houses.

Though not wishing to have their identities revealed, the occupants of both houses spoke of their fear and frustration with recent events. One of the houses is occupied by Jane, (not her real name) and her young son. She told 'the Herald' of the ongoing abuse she has suffered from certain individuals in the area.

"I have always had things shouted at me like, 'Your're a Fenian' or 'we don't want you here' and 'get out of this estate,' but it was when the house started to be attacked that I got really worried. I have a young five year old son and that is no way for him to grow up."

What is ironic is that Jane is a Protestant, but she is still in little doubt as to why she has been targeted;

"I mean I am a Protestant and my little boy leaves the house every day in his Model Primary school uniform, but my mum is Catholic and that is why I am getting these threats and why the house is being attacked. I also have a lot of Catholic friends, although I would never dream of bringing them to my house because of the fear."

"I have given the names to the police of the people who are doing this," she added, "but it seems that they can do nothing," Jane explained.

Angela, (not her real name) lives across the road from Jane and like Jane is Protestant. Angela spoke about the frustration she feels following the events of the last few months. She explained that to date she has called the police out to her house on six separate occasions.

"They (the police) tell me that it is not sectarian, but I know that it is. I have friends that are Catholics and I do not hide that, and I also have a lodger from Poland and sure they know that all Polish are Catholic, so maybe that has something to do with why the house is being targeted."

She went on to explain that in her opinion this recent attack left little doubt as to what motives lay behind it.

"Look at what has been sprayed on the house. Everyone knows what CFF and UDA stand for, yet people say that it is not sectarian". (UDA stands for Ulster Defence Association while CFF is alleged to stand for Coleshill Freedom Fighters).

"I have been told that I should think of selling up, but why should I. I work 50 hours a week and I own that house. Why should I be driven out," Angela argued.

As well as the recent attack, Angela has had paint thrown over her car and eggs and rocks thrown at her house. And she fears that worse may be on the way.

"I know that unless something is done," she continued, "a petrol bomb is coming because these people want me out of the house and out of the area. I know who is doing it, everyone knows who is doing it but nobody seems to be able to stop it."

While Angela is determined not to move from her home, Jane on the other hand is not sure that she will return at all.

"I am staying away for the next while until I sort my head out. I am just so worried for my son. Even before last Saturday, I did not allow him to stay in the house over the weekend. After school I am too afraid to let him out to play. Me and him were prisoners in our own home."

Jane went on to explain that she has asked the Housing Executive for a move and that while they have offered her temporary accommodation in Derrygonnelly this was simply not workable.

"I am doing a course four days a week and my son goes to school in Enniskillen. There are no school buses from Derrygonnelly to his school, so it is just not possible."

These incidents have left Jane facing a somewhat nomadic existence; staying with her mum some nights and other nights with her friends.

Police are appealing for anybody with any information about these events to contact them on 0845 600 8000, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.