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Daughter thought I was dead
By Robert Brennan
 A Co. Sligo
father, whose youngest daughter thought he had been killed when masked
attackers raided their family home, has said that she will never fully
get over what happened.
Speaking exclusively and in-depth to The Irish Post as those responsible
were jailed for life, London-based construction boss Bernard Dwyer said
that his 13-year-old daughter Aisling was forced to witness an attack
that he describes as “something out of a horror movie”.
He said: “My daughter actually thought I was dead because I was
knocked unconscious.
“I had taken a tremendous number of blows and she figured that I
was dead.
“It was a frightening experience for her, it was the first time
she has ever witnessed screaming and shouting like that.
“They were wearing balaclavas, ski jackets and it looked like something
out of a horror movie.”
The Hillingdon-based Irishman, along with his daughter Aisling and son
Danny were subjected to a violent confrontation when three armed attackers
broke into his home in November 2006.
He said: “My little girl will probably never get over what happened
to her that night, she saw some horrific action and the judge took that
on board.
“She heard more screaming and shouting that night than she has in
her entire life and of course it has affected her.
“She is scared but she is getting a lot better. We are doing all
we can.”
Mr Dwyer’s wife Jane and other son Sean were not at home during
the ordeal.
This week two brothers were jailed for life at the Old Bailey for terrorising
the Irish family and also for the murder of a Chinese restaurant owner.
Dean Atkins, 26, and his 25-year-old brother Michael were convicted of
murder, aggravated burglary, wounding and possessing an imitation firearm.
The brothers and a third man Thomas Carty, who died in prison while awaiting
trial, killed 65-year-old Kam Fum Chung after she refused to tell them
where she hid her life savings.
The gang from Hayes, Middlesex had been drinking heavily on the night
and had a history of violent crimes on their records.
During the trial Mr Dwyer described how the gang had kicked in the door
of the family home, subjected him to a relentless series of blows with
a knuckle duster, which caused him to pass out, and held a knife to the
neck of his teenage daughter.
The former amateur boxer, who is originally from Kesh then spoke of how
he was faced with the choice of either fighting back or dying.
Having chosen the former, he said: “Life to me is about winning
and losing.
“On the night I perceive myself as having won.
“I got beat up, but I disarmed them and handed out a fair bit of
punishment myself.
“My only concern today is for my daughter.
“The seven weeks at the Old Bailey were quite disruptive.”
Mr Dwyer also thanked those who had supported him since the attack.
He said: “I am very grateful for the support I have received, particularly
from the Irish community, the guys I know, other contractors and the police.
“They have been absolutely excellent.” |
