A DUP councillor and former IRA victim Sammy Brush has welcomed an expression of sympathy and apology by Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew after his home in Ballygawley, Co Tyrone, was attacked early on Monday.
Gerry Adams - who yesterday said all outstanding issues including disputes over the IRA army council would be resolved - asked Ms Gildernew to contact Mr Brush after the DUP leader the Rev Ian Paisley told the Sinn Féin president about the attack.
Mr Brush is a former postman and part-time sergeant in the UDRA. A member of Dungannon council, he was at the count for Fermanagh-South Tyrone in Omagh earlier this month when Independent Republican candidate Gerry McGeough was arrested and charged with the attempted murder of the DUP politician. Vincent McAnespie of Aghabo Close in Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone, was arrested in Aughnacloy and also charged with his attempted murder.
Ms Gildernew condemned the arrests. She also made headlines when she said she would not notify the PSNI if she saw a group of armed dissident republicans. But on Monday afternoon she visited Mr Brush after stones were thrown at his house and the windscreen of his car was smashed. "She put out her hand and I shook hands with her. She said she was sorry for what had happened," Mr Brush explained.
