Lorry driver ‘may lose sight in eye’ after A8 attack

Police have said the west Belfast man who was injured after a bin full of rocks was thrown at his lorry at the weekend is now home from hospital, but is living with “life changing” injuries.
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The Larne Times reported on Saturday that the man, Fra McCaffrey, had been hospitalised with “serious facial injuries.”

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Mr McCaffrey’s son, Dan, appeared on BBC Radio Ulster’s Talkback programme today (Friday) to detail his father’s condition following the incident at approximately 10.40pm on January 8.

Police are appealing for information.Police are appealing for information.
Police are appealing for information.
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Dan said: “He’s basically been told that it’s very likely that the eyesight in his right eye is gone.

“They can’t say 100 per cent that it’s definitely gone, but they have basically told him that he’ll never be able to drive lorries or HGVs again, which basically tells us that the eyesight is not likely to come back.

“His left eye is still working. It is fine, which is a positive.”

Issuing a fresh appeal for information on January 14, a PSNI spokesperson said: “We are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or have dash cam footage from that area and time to come forward and speak with police.

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“The incident involved a brown bin containing a number of rocks being thrown from the overpass at the Moss Road junction striking the front windscreen of an oncoming lorry.

“This has resulted in substantial damage to the vehicle. The driver is now home from hospital but is now living with life changing injuries.

“An investigation is currently underway and police are appealing for anyone who has information relating to this incident to call 101, quoting reference number 1944 of 08/01/2021.

“Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800555111.”

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