BY NUALA MCALOON

A 13-year-old boy was punched in the head and urinated on during a racist attack.

The incident, in the Cavanaleck area of Enniskillen, happened at approximately 3.30pm on a Friday evening when the young Latvian victim was walking home from school.

A group of youths, who are believed to be from the area and are of a similar age, followed the boy and one punched him on the head while another urinated on him.

Although, the family's neighbour is adamant the young boy was urinated on, police say they understood it was only 'attempted' by the youths.

A police spokesperson reported that the family, who are living in Sycamore Drive, had been the subject of continuous problems that had been snowballing since last November, with the family being the victims of egg throwing and general nuisance.

Joe Flanagan, who lives next door to the family described his neighbours as quiet and reserved people.

Mr Flanagan has been escorting the young boy to and from school since Monday, while his parents are at work. And, if necessary he said, he would continue to do so next week to ease the victim and his parents' minds.

"We have been pestered here by a gang of youths - never mind the older ones who seem to have drifted away now - aged 10 to 14. There has been stone throwing, egg throwing and general badness.

"In general, everybody is getting a bit of it but in particular because they are foreign, this family is getting particular attention."

Mr Flanagan said the teenager was extremely frightened since the attack.

"As a result, the kid is terrified. His parents go to work early in the morning, so I told them not to worry about school and that I would leave him there and collect him and bring him home.

"They are such quiet and reserved people. The boy's father has hardly any English and his mother has very little, so the boy is their interpreter as such."

Mr Flanagan said he was disgusted that a young boy could be assaulted in such fashion.

"To pee on someone, that is disgusting. I can understand a couple of boys getting involved in a bit of 'fisticuffs', but not this.

"I feel angry to think people are doing this to people who are causing no one the slightest offence. The family in my own mind are being victimised. In my firmly held opinion, possibly because of their distant language, they are been singled out more than the locals.

"Parents need to be much more aware of what their children are doing once they go outside the door."

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Cavanaleck Community Association said she couldn't believe such an attack could have taken place.

"Anyone would condemn such behaviour, it is just not on. And, I would hope that it wouldn't happen again because there are a lot of foreign nationals living in the estate now. It is an ethnic area and there has been no ill-feeling and I would like to think it would be kept that way.

"Parents need to know what their children are doing when they are out because this behaviour cannot be tolerated. I just can't believe this did happen."

A police spokesperson said the incident was particularly sad because the boy was the only member of his family who could speak English.

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the teenager walking home past the Spar shop and, also, a group of five or six boys of a similar age.

Police have further appealed to parents of youths in the area to be wary of any such suspicious and loutish behaviour.

Anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity is asked to contact police. The number to call with any information is 0845 600 8000, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.