Northern Ireland

Bushmills ‘crucifixion’ is ‘especially appalling’ incident

Man in his twenties was nailed to fence as vehicles are torched nearby

Scene at Bushmills in Co-Antrim where a man had his hands nailed to a fence and two vans were burnt out. Graffiti was also painted on a public toilet block in the popular tourist town close to the Giants Causeway. Picture Margaret Mclaughlin 5-5-2024
The scene in Bushmills, Co Antrim where a man had his hands nailed to a fence and two vans were burnt out. PICTURE: MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )
By Staff Reporter

An incident in Co Antrim which saw left a man with potentially life-changing injuries after he was nailed to a fence has been described as “especially appalling”.

There have been calls for police to apprehend the perpetrators, who also torched two vehicles in Bushmills during the early hours of Sunday.

The incident is the third violent assault in little over 12 months in the small village close to the Giant’s Causeway.

The man in twenties was discovered nailed to a fence through each hand, while two vans, one belonging to the injured party, were found on fire in the car park near Dundarave Park.

Graffiti on nearby public toilets has been linked to the assault and arson.

The victim also had injuries to his nose and was treated in hospital, where his condition is described as not life-threatening.

Scene at Bushmills in Co-Antrim where a man had his hands nailed to a fence and two vans were burnt out. Graffiti was also painted on a public toilet block in the popular tourist town close to the Giants Causeway. Picture Margaret Mclaughlin 5-5-2024
Burnt-out vans in Bushmills close to where a man was nailed to a fence. PICTURE: MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN

The attack happened in a residential area close to a number of holiday lets which, according to police, would be busy during this bank holiday weekend.

A PSNI spokesperson described the attack as “sinister” and said it had left the man with “potentially life-changing injuries”.

Scene at Bushmills in Co-Antrim where a man had his hands nailed to a fence and two vans were burnt out. Graffiti was also painted on a public toilet block in the popular tourist town close to the Giants Causeway. Picture Margaret Mclaughlin 5-5-2024
Graffiti was painted on a public toilet block close to where a man was nailed to a fence. PICTURE: MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN

“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,” the PSNI spokesperson said.

“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.”

Alliance North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland described the incident as “especially appalling” and said her first thoughts were with the victim of the serious assault.

“It is not acceptable under any circumstances to brutally assault someone in this manner and I hope the man makes a full recovery – there is no place for this violence in Bushmills, north Antrim or anywhere else in Northern Ireland,” she said.

TUV leader Jim Allister expressed his “dismay at the gruesome and cruel attack carried out in the village”.

The PSNI is appealing for any witnesses or those who may have dashcam footage to contact them.