Horror as thugs nail man’s hands to fence in ‘sinister and brutal’ attack

By Ciaran McGrath, Senior News Reporter

PSNI issued their appeal after the shocking attack in the village of Bushmills (Image: GETTY)

Thugs have nailed a man’s hands to a fence, inflicting potentially life-changing injuries, in an attack described by police as “sinister and brutal”.

The shocking incident occurred in the village of Bushmills, Country Antrim in the early hours of Sunday, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said.

Officers were called just after midnight and discovered the male victim, aged in his twenties, with his hands nailed to a fence. He also had injuries to his nose.

He was taken to hospital, where his condition was described as not being life-threatening.

Police said two vans parked in the public car park near Dundarave Park had also been set on fire. One of the vehicles belonged to the man who had been assaulted. Firefighters attended to extinguish the fires and both vans sustained extensive damage.

Blood-soaked dressings on the ground near the scene of the attack (Image: NC)

Officers said graffiti found on a nearby gable wall of a public toilets building was being linked to both the assault and the arson.

A PSNI spokesman: "This was a sinister attack which has left this man with potentially life-changing injuries.

"Everyone has the right to live their life free from the threat of violence and this brutal attack by people who violate the human rights of others must be universally condemned.

"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.

"This happened in a residential area with a number of holiday lets which would be busy during this bank holiday weekend and we are asking anyone who noticed anything or who may have dashcam footage to contact us urgently on 101 or confidently to Crimestoppers."

TUV leader Jim Allister condemned the attack (Image: Getty)

Sian Mulholland, Alliance MLA for North Antrim, said: ”My first thoughts are with the victim of this serious assault.

"The nature of this attack was especially appalling and has left the victim with potentially life-altering injuries.

"It is not acceptable under any circumstances to brutally assault someone in this manner and I hope the man makes a full recovery."

TUV leader and North Antrim MLA Jim Allister likewise condemned the incident, saying there was no place for mob rule.

He said: "I express my dismay at the gruesome and cruel attack carried out in the village.”