Man Stabbed in Eye During Burglary in Derry; Arrest Made

An Arrest has been Made in Relation to the Incident

A man suffered a brutal stabbing in the eye during a burglary attempt that occurred in a flat in Derry. The incident took place at around 4 am, where two men allegedly broke into a residence in the Canterbury Park area, assaulting the male occupant.

Police stated that the assailants stabbed the victim with a screwdriver and then fled the scene, triggering the alarm. Detective Sergeant Lizzie Ballentine provided a statement on the matter: “It was reported that at around 4am two men attended a flat in the Canterbury Park area and assaulted the male occupant, stabbing him in the eye with a screwdriver. They made off from the scene and the alarm was raised. The victim has suffered injuries to his eye. A 42-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and is currently in custody. Inquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

Community’s Response and What’s Next

SDLP Waterside councillor Martin Reilly condemned the violent burglary. “This was a horrendous and violent burglary in which a man was stabbed in the eye with a screwdriver. Canterbury Park is a residential area with many young families and people are shocked and concerned that this has happened on their doorsteps,” Cllr Reilly said. “My thoughts are with the victim of this incident and I hope they go on to make a full and quick recovery. There is no place for violence like this in our city and I would urge anyone with any information or CCTV or doorbell footage to get in touch with the police.”

The local councillor further emphasized the community’s need for justice, stating, “I welcome the police’s quick response and those responsible for this burglary must be apprehended and held accountable for their actions.”

Authorities Appeal for Information

Detective Sergeant Ballentine issued an appeal for any witnesses or individuals in possession of video surveillance footage to come forward and provide details. She specifically asked for people to contact the police on 101, quoting reference number 1247 of 21/12/24.

The Role of Police and Community

The case highlights the importance of community vigilance and neighborhood watch programs. The quick response from residents who reported the incident has been crucial to the police’s ability to make an arrest and gather information. Such community awareness can help in preventing further such incidents and contributing to overall public safety.

Support for the Victim

The focus remains on the victim’s recovery and rehabilitation. Canterbury Park residents and those familiar with the victim are reaching out to provide support during this challenging time. The community’s solidarity can play a significant role in the victim’s journey towards recovery.