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North Belfast attack victim remains in a serious condition

Police sealed off part of the Havana Way area of Ardoyne in north Belfast following an attack on nearby Flax Street. Picture by Cliff Donaldson
Police sealed off part of the Havana Way area of Ardoyne in north Belfast following an attack on nearby Flax Street. Picture by Cliff Donaldson Police sealed off part of the Havana Way area of Ardoyne in north Belfast following an attack on nearby Flax Street. Picture by Cliff Donaldson

A MAN in his 40s who sustained serious head injuries in an attack in north Belfast has been named locally as Paddy Ward.

The victim, a member of the Traveller community, remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital following the assault in Ardoyne.

Mr Ward was attacked in the Flax Street area, close to the Shamrock social club at around 5.25am on Sunday.

Police have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

Detective Inspector Heather Whoriskey said it was a very "serious assault" carried out by a number of people.

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly said: "Reports of a man having been seriously assaulted in the Flax Street area of Ardoyne in the early hours of Sunday morning are very worrying.

"I would appeal for anyone who witnessed this attack or has any information in relation to this crime to come forward.

"It is my understanding that the victim remains in a serious condition and I hope he makes a full recovery," Mr Kelly said.

SDLP councillor Paul McCusker said: "Anyone with information about this attack, that appears to have particularly brutal in nature, should come forward."