Victim of terrorism is awarded pounds 100,000

(First Edition) The youngest victim of terrorist violence in Northern Ireland was yesterday awarded pounds 100,000 compensation for the injuries she suffered.

Terri White, now aged three, was only five weeks old when her leg was shattered by IRA gunfire.

She was being cradled by her grandfather, Billy Kingsberry, when the gunmen burst into a house in the Donegal Road area of Belfast in November, 1991.

Mr Kingsberry was shot dead along with Terri's uncle, Sam Mehaffy, aged 19.

At the Recorder's Court in Belfast yesterday, Judge Peter Gibson ordered the Northern Ireland Office to pay her pounds 100,000 under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.

The judge made his award after seeing Terri in his chambers and studying medical reports.

Outside court, Terri's mother, Julieanne White, 18, of Donegal Gardens, Belfast, said: 'She has recovered very well from her injuries and just never stops running around.

'She will probably have to go back to hospital some time in the future for skin grafting to her leg.'

She added: 'When she is asked about the shooting, she just says 'the bad boys did it'. But in time she will learn all about it. Thankfully she doesn't suffer from nightmares or anything like that.'