Councillor John Finlay was speaking after the latest incident at his Ballyveely Road home at the weekend when the back window of his car was broken with what he believes was a hurley stick.

The DUP mayor - a prominent member of Loyal Orders well known for speaking out against attacks on Orange Halls - says he believes he was deliberately targeted in a bid to silence him and force him out of Cloughmills.

But he says he will not be gagged and is not for moving.
Police confirmed they are treating the attack on the Mayor's car as a hate crime and are appealing for information.

Councillor Finlay told the Times: "The back window of the car was smashed in. We went to bed on the Friday night and the car was parked at the front of the house. We didn't hear anything and it was only when my wife went out on Saturday morning that we noticed the damage.

"I believe it was hurley stick because of the shape that was left in the window which was stoved in," said Mayor Finlay.

He added: "This is the eighth time I have been targeted. Windows were smashed three times and I had plants pulled up and eggs thrown at the house.

"Whoever is doing this obviously knows where I stand and don't like what I do but if they think that will drive me away or silence me I have a message for them, I won't be keeping quiet and I won't be moving."

The mayor added: "I have two flags out at the house - a Union Flag and an Ulster Flag - which I normally take in at the end of August but just haven't got round to doing that yet. If that is why the house was targeted I want whoever did this to know that I won't be taking them down because of this and in fact might just keep them up for another month."

Police are appealing for information on 08456008000.