PEOPLE watched in horror as a man had his face mutilated in a knife attack in west Belfast yesterday morning.
Graphic pictures of Eddie Devine's life-changing injuries have been shared on social media.
The 35-year-old is believed to have suffered a severe wound to his face and tongue and required facial surgery.
Local people, including a number of children, witnessed the attack close to a busy shopping complex on the Springfield Road just after 10am.
It is not the first time Mr Devine has cheated death - in March 2018 he was hit with a speeding car just minutes from his Springfield Road home as he returned from a family birthday party.
He was found unconscious by a passing couple and rushed to hospital where he was treated for four broken limbs, an injured spine, broken ribs and blood clots to his brain.
The father-of-four's memory and speech suffered as a result of the suspected hit and run.
Five months later he appeared in court charged with possession of an offensive weapon after being caught carrying a claw hammer in September 2017.
A magistrate was told he had been on his way to assault someone who attacked him the night before.
The case, which saw him receive a suspended jail sentence, was delayed due to Mr Devine's stay in hospital. He appeared in court in a wheelchair.
A defence lawyer said he had sustained "very severe injuries" when he was hit by a motorist travelling at 90mph.
When he was attacked yesterday, Mr Devine was still walking on crutches having only recently stopped using a wheelchair.
A local criminal known to the victim is thought to have been responsible for the knife attack.
There had been no arrests last night.
PSNI Inspector Paul Noble said: "The man was taken to hospital for treatment to a stab wound to the side of his face, which is not believed to life-threatening."
