‘Hate crime’ hammer attack on Whitehead coffee shop

The PSNI is investigating an incident at Arden’s coffee shop which occurred on Wednesday night.

Windows and doors of the premises at King’s Road in the Co Antrim seaside town were smashed.

In a statement on social media, owners Barbara and John-Paul Whearty, said: “We are devastated to share that our premises were viciously attacked again last night by four men armed with hammers.”

The couple, who have a toddler son and live above the cafe and who were at home at the time, said they were “badly shaken”.

In a statement, the PSNI said windows and doors was smashed at the premises around 10.20pm and the incident is being treated as a hate crime. 

The cafe was also targeted in August when a window was smashed and paint thrown at the premises. The window was an original Edwardian feature which had survived two World Wars.

Barbara said at the time she believed the attack was connected to tensions around her husband’s past links to social media phenomenon Loyalists Against Democracy (LAD) after the couple had received a surge in negative comments online and what she described as “a very serious threat” on Twitter (read here).

Condemning Wednesday night’s incident, East Antrim Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson said:“I am shocked and angered to have to visit Arden’s of Whitehead this morning to once again witness an attack on this business.

“My thoughts and concerns are for the owners and their young family who had to endure this frightening attack last night. Anyone with infomation, please call the PSNI.”

Larne Lough Alliance Councillor Danny Donnelly said: “It’s disgusting that his business is getting targeted even worse that the reason may be that he made jokes that some people didn’t like.

“This was a new business venture that was really popular in Whitehead.”

Commenting on social media, one man said: “Whitehead is generally pretty sleepy. Rather disturbing to see this kind of stuff going on in the area.”

Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 1909

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

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