9 December 2012 Last updated at 09:35 ET

DUP councillor's village centre home damaged

Sammy Brush surveying the damage to his home

The home of a DUP councillor in County Tyrone has been damaged in an attack.

It happened early this morning in Ballygawley. A pane of glass on the front door of Sammy Brush's home in the centre of the village was smashed.

Police have said that they are treating the incident as criminal damage to the property.

Mr Brush said that his property has been damaged so many times it is almost part of his "normal life".

"It seems to be open season on public representatives and it's totally wrong," he said.

"Public representatives have enough on their tray trying to solve problems for their constituents, without having to look over their shoulder for their own safety."

Mr Brush said that his home and car have been attacked many times and believes he was targeted because of his politics.

In 1981 while serving as a part-time UDR soldier he survived an IRA attempt on his life. Last year Gerry McGeough, a former IRA man, was jailed for attempting to murder Mr Brush.

Mr Brush serves on Dungannon and South Tyrone Council and nationalist members of the council passed a motion calling for McGeough's release. The Northern Ireland Assembly later passed a motion of support for Mr Brush.

He has received support from a Bangor Alliance councillor whose home was attacked last week.

Michael Bower tweeted: "Awful to hear about attack on the home of Cllr Sammy Brush. A man and a family that have went through so much. Our thoughts are with them."