By Conor Sharkey

ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour in Sion Mills reached a new low at the weekend, with a savage and completely unprovoked assault on a man who has been living in the area for just five weeks.

The attack happened at around 1.30am on Sunday morning, when Strabane man Noel McGinty (37) was set upon by a gang of ten youths as he left a local chippy.

The father of four had to be treated at Altnagelvin Hospital after being kicked and punched around the head, body and legs in the sustained assault.

Mr McGinty's car and house keys were also stolen during the incident, leaving him and his wife living in fear of further attacks.

But what motivation could there be for a such a brutal attack on an unarmed man who has been living peacefully in the village for little more than a month?

Speaking to the Strabane Chronicle on Tuesday, Mr McGinty said he has no idea, but he and his wife were already contemplating moving back to their native Strabane.

"We came back from a holiday in Galway on Saturday and my brother came over for a drink in the evening.

"At about 1am we decided to grab a bite to eat so we headed up to the chippy. As we were coming out a young guy came out of an alley and asked had we a problem. I told him we wanted no trouble and all of a sudden ten of them jumped me.

"They broke my nose, bruised my ribs and left my legs badly bruised. I'm in serious pain at the minute," he said.

Asked if he knew of any reason why he in particular was singled out, the 37-year-old said he had barely had a chance to even speak to anyone in the village.

"Me, my wife Collette and the children moved here five weeks ago so we hardly even know anyone up here. I don't think it was sectarian or anything like that and the way it happened just seemed completely random. What ever the reason, it's a nice welcome for us."

Neither Mr McGinty or his wife are able to work as they both provide 24 hour care for their disabled son.

For two nights after the attack, the family were unable to sleep easy knowing someone held the key to both their home and car.

And while the locks have now been changed, the family could still be on their out of Sion altogether.

"For a day or two after the attack, Collette and the children were a bit scared living here because we knew someone had our keys. It's not so bad now that the locks have been changed but Collette does still want to move.

"I don't want to have to move for anyone and the police are working on catching whoever did this to me. So hopefully we will be able to get on and live here in peace and quiet," Mr McGinty said.

The attack has been strongly condemned by the local Neighbourhood Watch and Sinn Fein.

Calling for calm, Andy Patton said parents needed to exercise greater control over the children.

Applauding Mr Patton's efforts in trying to end the unrest in Sion, Sinn Fein's Brian McMahon added: "Much of Andy's time and effort has been focused on engaging with young people in the village.

Through the establishment of a youth forum it is now hoped that a vibrant youth club can be established with the help of St Colum's Park House in Derry and the WELB so that there can be a constructive outlet for the energies of young people of all ages in the village.

"I would call on everyone in Sion to support these efforts and if the community in the area stand to together I have no doubt that the situation in the village can be vastly improved," he said.

'All of a sudden ten of them jumped me. They broke my nose, bruised my ribs and left my legs badly bruised.'