Northern Ireland

Boy (14) suffers serious facial injuries in Randalstown attack

Two boys aged 14 and 17 were assaulted by a gang of men in Randalstown on Saturday night
Two boys aged 14 and 17 were assaulted by a gang of men in Randalstown on Saturday night Two boys aged 14 and 17 were assaulted by a gang of men in Randalstown on Saturday night

A 14-year-old boy is being treated for serious facial injuries after he and another teenager were attacked by a gang of men in an "extremely vicious" assault in Co Antrim.

Alliance councillor Glenn Finlay said there is "no excuse" after the teenager and a 17-year-old boy were assaulted by the gang in Neillsbrook Park in Randalstown at around 9.30pm on Saturday.

The 17-year-old sustained minor injuries.

Police said they are investigating the circumstances of the attack.

Detective Inspector Boyd said: "This was an extremely vicious attack with one of the youths sustaining very serious injuries."

He asked anyone who saw the assault or who spotted a gang of men in the town to contact police on 101.

Alliance councillor Glenn Finlay said there was no justification for the attack.

He urged people not to speculate on social media about the circumstances of the assault.

"My thoughts are with the victims of this assault and I hope they make a full recovery," he said.

"There is absolutely no excuses for assaults or people attempting to take matters into their on hands.

"Whilst police are still working to establish the circumstances behind this attack, rumours and whispers on social media do not help the situation.

"It is the job of the PSNI to police our streets, nobody else."