AN SDLP member of Derry City Council has blamed the IRA for an attack on his home and that of a party colleague in the Creggan area of Derry early yesterday.
Mr Jim Clifford, who was recently discharged from hospital following a triple by-pass operation, said the IRA would not drive him from his Iniscairn Road home.
Bricks were thrown through two windows in Mr Clifford's home and minutes later a similar attack was carried out on the nearby home of his party colleague, Mr Pat Devine, a former mayor, in Rathlin Gardens.
"For the last 10 years in the run-up to an election, my home has been attacked.
"The Provos are behind it. I've no doubt about that. They're nothing but bullyboys and cowards," said Mr Clifford.
"These are the people who talk about peace and about pacts. Sinn Fein always condemn the attacks on my home but I believe they could probably tell me who did it. I firmly believe it's the Provos.
"They are trying to intimidate me but they won't. They can forget about forcing me to leave my home," he said.
In a statement, a Creggan Sinn Fein councillor, Mr Cathal Crumley, described those responsible for the attacks as cowards, but he criticised the SDLP councillors for attempting to politicise the attacks.
"The early-morning attacks were the work of cowards and threatened serious injury to the occupants of the houses, including children," said Mr Crumley.
"Whatever the motives which inspired these attacks, they are completely unacceptable and indefensible.
"Sinn Fein, through experience, is quite aware of what the consequences of these attacks can be and has no hesitation in describing those responsible as the cowards they are.
"It is, however, irresponsible of Councillors Clifford and Devine to attempt to politicise these despicable attacks by making unfounded allegations. Those responsible were not republicans," he said.
The attacks were condemned by the city's Ulster Unionist mayor, Mr Richard Dallas, and by SDLP leader, Mr John Hume. Mr Hume described the attackers as villains.
"My sympathy goes out to the families," said Mr Hume, "but it's not the first time their homes have been attacked.
"It's a major act of intimidation and it's no accident that these have happened in the run-up to election periods to try to discourage other people from standing for the SDLP," he said.