A CO Derry home badly damaged after a stolen tractor was rammed into the property had been targeted previously, a local politician has revealed.
The house in the Cherry Lane area of Feeny was unoccupied on Sunday night when the attack took place.
Significant damage was caused to both the exterior and interior of the house by the tractor.
Detectives police say was stolen from a nearby building site.
It was later found abandoned on the Glenshane Road outside the village.
Local Sinn Fein councillor Sean McGlinchey said it was not the first time the home had been attacked.
“This is not the first time an attack has been carried out on this property, which has left the owner in a very distressed state.
“Thankfully the house was unoccupied at the time, because it is clear from the level of damage that had anyone been inside at the time they would have been at serious risk.
“Anyone who can help police in their investigation should contact them.”
Detective Inspector Bob Blemmings appealed for witnesses, especially any motorists who were in the area and who have dash cameras fitted to their vehicles.
He said: “This is a shocking level of criminal damage directed by, or committed by an individual with absolutely no regard for who they could have injured in the process of this reckless act.
“I firmly believe there are people in the local community who know who carried out this appalling crime.
“I would ask anyone who knows anything about this incident, or who was in Feeny village prior to or around the time the incident was reported to police and saw any suspicious behaviour to contact us.
“I would also appeal to any driver who was in Feeny village last night at around 10pm and has a dash cam fitted to their vehicle to check their footage.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1338 of 08/04/18.
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
