Camper van attack: couple hail well-wishers

A COUPLE who were brutally attacked on their first-ever holiday in Ireland paid tribute yesterday to the well-wishers who rallied round to support them.

British couple Kathleen 56, and Jock Fordyce, 61, arrived in Co Louth a month ago for the start of a four-week camper van tour of the island.

But hours after leaving the ferry at Belfast and stopping for the night in a lay-by at Drumand, Co Louth, they were attacked by a gang of machete-wielding thugs.