TWO 12-year-old boys were taken to hospital after they are thought to have been attacked with a stun gun in west Belfast.
The victims, one believed to be a pupils at De La Salle College, were walking towards a bus stop on Glen Road, near the Glenowen Inn, when they were attacked at about 4.30pm on Wednesday.
Police said the boys, believed to be year-nine pupils, were "approached by a group of unknown male youths".
The attackers are believed to be pupils from another school.
A spokesman said: "Both boys felt something on their neck and one of them fell to the ground."
A spokeswoman for the Belfast health trust said the boys were taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital. One went to hospital on Wednesday afternoon, was treated and was later sent home. The second went to hospital on Wednesday evening but was also later discharged.
The PSNI said officers are investigating what type of weapon was used in the assault.
However, it is believed to have been a stun gun - an electroshock weapon used by police to incapacitate suspects.
Detectives have appealed to anyone with information to contact them.
Sinn Féin West Belfast MP Paul Maskey said he was appalled by the attack.
"Young people should be able to go and come from school without fear of attack," he said.
Mr Maskey wished both boys a full recovery.
"I would hope that those involved would see sense and pass it (the weapon) on to their parents or school," he said.
"I would also urge schools to work with each other to look at what has happened."
