A man in his 20s has been taken to hospital after a serious assault in a Bushmills car park in County Antrim on Sunday. The victim was found with a nail through each hand, nailed to a fence shortly after midnight. Two vans, one belonging to the injured man, were also found on fire in the car park near Dundarave Park. Police are linking the assault and arson to graffiti on nearby public toilets. Investigators believe that the man was left with potentially life-changing but not life-threatening injuries.
Detective Inspector Lyttle described the attack as “sinister” and unwarranted, stating, “We live in a democratic society where there is no justification for this. Those responsible brutalise their own communities and control others through intimidation and violence.” The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is appealing for any witnesses or those who may have dashcam footage to come forward.
Alliance North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland said that the nature of this attack was “appalling” and that “there is no place for this violence in Bushmills, North Antrim or anywhere else in Northern Ireland.” TUV leader and local MLA Jim Allister expressed his “dismay at the gruesome and cruel attack carried out in the village”.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) also attended the scene where extensive damage was caused to both vehicles. The PSNI is currently investigating the incident as a hate crime and are asking anyone with information to come forward
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