A youth suffered serious injuries in a “shocking and brutal” assault in north Belfast on Sunday evening, a local representative said.
Alderman Dean McCullough, who described the assault on the youth as a “sectarian hate crime”, said he was attacked by a group in the Mountcollyer area close to Alexandra Park.
The DUP representative said the teenager reported he was confronted by as many as 20 individuals who are believed to have made their way from a nationalist to a loyalist area through the park’s ‘peace gate’, which was open.
In a statement, the PSNI said: “Police received a report of an assault which occurred at the Mileriver Street area of north Belfast on Sunday, 8th June.”
DUP Alderman Dean McCullough
The youth was punched, kicked around the head and face, beaten with sticks, and left with a fractured jaw, concussion and other serious injuries, Mr McCullough said, adding the victim needed hospital treatment.
“I am absolutely sickened by this cowardly and calculated assault…my thoughts are with the young victim and his family at this deeply traumatic time, and I pray he makes a swift and full recovery,” the alderman added.
“No child should ever be subjected to this kind of violence in their own community – this was not a fight, it was a targeted attack with potentially fatal consequences.
“Let’s be clear: this was a sectarian hate crime – and it must be treated as such. I expect all political parties and public representatives, regardless of background, to condemn this without hesitation or ambiguity.
“I raised this urgently yesterday and will continue to press for a full investigation and robust response. These attacks must be confronted, condemned, and never allowed to become normalised.”
Mr McCullough added that “following urgent engagement, agreement was secured yesterday to close the Alexandra Park security structure early due to ongoing interface issues. That is a necessary and responsible step in light of recent tensions”.