Man fears blindness after catapult attack

A MIDDLE-AGED diabetic fears he may go blind because thugs catapulted a rock into his face, damaging one of his eyes.

Martin McMahon says he’s a prisoner in his home, can barely read, finds it difficult to cope in the dark and is terrified he’s going to lose his sight.

He has been terrorised for almost a year by thugs, some of whom are still in primary school.

A fortnight ago, a boy and girl broke into his front garden in Clonmel, Co Tipperary. When he went to check what they were doing, one fired a rock at him, using a catapult.

He said: “They got my good eye. I’ve had very poor sight all of my life. I’ve always had to wear glasses. The damaged one is very sore. I’ve no idea if I’ll ever be able to see with it again. The doctors have already had to stick needles in it to break down a clot and lance it. I now have to go back on Thursday to get it stitched.”

The Kilkenny native was given a local authority house in Clonmel, a year ago. He’s spent most of his life in State care and is one of many who suffered institutional abuse as a child.

He thought it was the beginning of a new chapter in his life when he got his home on Comeragh Drive in Clonmel. But all summer he feared for his life, such was the level of noise outside his house and the number of attacks on his home.

“I’ve asked the council again and again to build up the wall around my house to protect me and my home. They’ve discussed it at four meetings but nothing has yet happened. I’ve put up with this since I moved in here. I’ve done nothing to provoke these young people.

“Another one of my neighbours is also being targeted. I spent most nights in the summer down in the park with my radio, afraid to come home. I never came back until 11pm or after that during the summer. Even at that, some of them were still hanging around.”

Mr McMahon is on disability and cannot work. He fears for his future: “I’ve no idea what lies aheadI just want these children to leave me alone. The gardaí have been up here loads of times but the children are back again and again, making my life hell.”

Gardaí in Clonmel have investigated the incident and the matter is in the hands of the Director of Public Prosecutions.