Family thanks Derry community after elderly couple injured in burglary ordeal
Tony Mount and his wife, Margaret, were the victims of a burglary at Gweebara Park in Foyle Springs on April 6
The brother of a Derry man, who has been left in the hospital following a burglary at his house, has thanked the Derry community for their support.
Tony Mount and his wife, Margaret, were the victims of a burglary at Gweebara Park in Foyle Springs on April 6.
A 43-year-old man has been charged with entering a house as a trespasser and stealing medication and also charged with assaulting a man, occasioning him actual bodily harm and non-fatal strangulation, while being charged with grievous bodily harm on a female.
John Mount, the brother of Tony, has thanked the medical services and the police for their work, along with the community for their support at this difficult time for the family.
He said: “We have had tremendous support from the Derry community and thank everyone for their prayers and kind comments.
“Tony and Margaret are a very devoted couple who would have organised a pilgrimage to Knock, Maggiore, and Fatima. They are God-loving people and would be the first to offer help to anyone in need, and I think that’s why people are so shocked at this attack, but it has been a long time since I’ve seen anger shown among the Derry people that has been shown throughout the city.
“It is not good either; it is not good for everybody.”
The couple spent time in the hospital following the events of April 6. Margaret was admitted with a heart attack, while Tony was admitted the next morning after being found non-responsive by his daughter in her house, and he was rushed to Altnagelvin before the stroke team stabilised him.
One of the bruises on Mr Mount's face.
John said: “It is a hard thing that I had to watch my niece and her children being asked by the doctor those horrific questions that had to be asked.
“The medical staff were telling us that only 30 percent of his heart was operating, and if it got any worse, then a call would have to be made. This information was being fed to us and his grandchildren; it is not something you want them to hear or you want to be told.
“Tony is 78 years of age and is in the early stages of dementia too.
“I’m happy to say today he’s off oxygen and antibiotics but still not out of the woods but going in the right way.”
John is hopeful the condition of his brother continues to improve so he can return to his home in Foyle Springs as soon as possible.
He said: “They are a devout family; their house is like a chapel.
“Our Tony bought that house before the roof was put on, as he was one of the first people in there when Foyle Springs was getting built, and from that day to this day they have never had a problem with neighbours, everyone in the area loves them.”