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Loyalist paramilitary attack claim challenged

DUP assembly member, Gary Middleton does not believe there was loyalist paramilitary involvement in a weekend attack in Derry.
DUP assembly member, Gary Middleton does not believe there was loyalist paramilitary involvement in a weekend attack in Derry. DUP assembly member, Gary Middleton does not believe there was loyalist paramilitary involvement in a weekend attack in Derry.

A DUP assembly member has challenged police claims that loyalist paramilitaries may have been involved in a violent attack in Derry.

Three men were treated for non-life-threatening injuries when they were beaten with hammers, including a sledge hammer, at Bonds Street in the Waterside.

Police said they were exploring a loyalist link to the attack early on Sunday morning.

PSNI detect sergeant Ray Phelan said the men were the victims of an “unprovoked and cowardly attack by four assailants armed with weapons.”

It subsequently emerged that the attack may have followed an earlier altercation outside a nearby bar.

However DUP assembly member Gary Middleton has challenged claims of loyalist paramilitary involvement in the incident.

“I do have some concerns around some of the information that has been put out, in my belief, inaccurately. At the same time that can’t take away from the fact that this incident happened and it needs to be investigated.”

The Derry MLA said he believed the attack was fuelled by alcohol.

“I have been speaking to various people who have information – and I’ve no doubt that information will be passed to the PSNI – I don’t believe there’s a connection or any type of loyalist feud involved here. I don’t think that there’s any suggestion that that has been the case,” he said.