London Bridge attack: Terrorist shouted 'this is for Islam' before knifing 23-year-old outside pub

Victim's mother: Elizabeth O'Neill
Robin de Peyer4 June 2017
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One of the terrorists who went on a murderous rampage in London Bridge told a 23-year-old man ‘this is for Islam’ before knifing him.

Daniel O’Neill is recovering in hospital after being caught up in the attack in which seven people were killed and 21 were left fighting for life on Saturday night.

His mother Elizabeth said her son was attacked outside a bar during an evening out with a friend and his girlfriend.

"He had just stepped outside the bar for a second and a man ran up to him and said 'this is for my family, this is for Islam' and stuck a knife straight in him,” she said.

"He has got a seven-inch scar going from his belly round to his back."

Aftermath of London Bridge and Borough Market terrorist attack

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Ms O'Neill said her son went in to the pub after the attack and the man ran away.

She added: "There was shots fired, everybody was told to lie down and then they were told to go downstairs in the bar.

"At this stage, Daniel's friend had put a tourniquet on him and was holding pressure there."

She said he was taken downstairs and then the police took him in their car to the hospital and that she was trying to find those officers to thank them.

Ms O'Neill added: "The police have been absolutely fantastic, the nurses, staff have been absolutely, absolutely amazing."

She said she and her son, who was able to talk to her, were still in shock and described the attacks as "absolutely senseless" and the attackers as "callous and barbaric" and "absolute cowards".

She added: "These people say they are doing it in the name of god which is an absolute joke."

Asked about her son's condition, she said: "We are not sure yet, the ultrasounds were good but he is still quite sick so we can't rule out any kidney damage."

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