Outrage after two hit and runs take place in Sion Mills

A Sion Mills resident has hit out at an apparent disregard for people’s property after two cars were damaged in hit and runs in the village at the weekend.

Meadow Crescent resident Stephen Fleming was speaking after his car was one of two vehicles hit on Saturday night. The other vehicle was situated at Lismore Park and police were present at both scenes.

“Neither my fiancée Lauren or myself were actually home at the time,” Stephen explained. “We were in Belfast at a Tommy Tiernan gig; it was Lauren’s sister who alerted us to the crash. She had been looking after our dog and was bringing him home when she spotted the car and immediately rang us. As soon as we had heard, I phoned the police and a policeman rang me back from his mobile as he was already in Lismore dealing with the other crash. We’re still in total shock over it; the car itself is a write-off.”

Luckily for Stephen, CCTV footage caught the perpetrator and the entire incident on camera.

He continued, “Thankfully the neighbours’ CCTV cameras caught the whole thing. The neighbours either side of us have children and I dread to think what would have happened had any of them been about when the crash happened; judging by the damage done to my car, they wouldn’t have stood a chance.

“The fact that the car is a write off is angering. Luckily I have a company car with work, and Lauren works across the street from me in Omagh so we’re able to get around. I spoke with AXA my insurers who have said that the offending car is also insured by them so it should be straightforward having it fixed.”

A spokesperson for the PSNI added, “Police received reports of two hit and run collisions in Sion Mills on Saturday, February 25.

“It was reported that a vehicle parked in the Meadow Crescent area and another parked in the Lismore Park area both sustained damage in separate collisions, which are being treated as linked at this time. It is believed that both collisions occurred shortly before 9pm. Enquiries are on-going and anyone with information, including dashcam, CCTV or other video footage is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 1737 of 25/2/23.”