Northern Ireland

Pensioner in critical condition after assault with metal bars in own home

Police at the scene at Drunahoe Gardens after a assault on a man in his 70s.Picture by Hugh Russell.
Police at the scene at Drunahoe Gardens after a assault on a man in his 70s.Picture by Hugh Russell. Police at the scene at Drunahoe Gardens after a assault on a man in his 70s.Picture by Hugh Russell.

A MAN in his 70s was subjected to a "brutal attack" in his own home by a gang of men armed with metal bars.

The assault on the Co Antrim pensioner was reported to police at around 1.10am yesterday.

A PSNI spokeswoman said "a number of men" wearing black face masks had entered the house at Drumahoe Gardens in the Millbrook area of Larne assaulted the man with the weapons.

He was yesterday in a "critical but stable" condition in hospital.

Alliance councillor Danny Donnelly said it was "a very shocking and brutal attack on a vulnerable member of the community".

"An attack like this can't be justified for any reason.

"This is a tight-knit community where this sort of attack is rare and I would encourage anyone with information to contact the police."

Police said his car was also damaged and the windows of his house broken in the early morning attack.

They have asked anyone in the area at the time or who may have seen anything suspicious to contact 101 quoting reference number 91 of 02/07/21 or via the non-emergency reporting form at http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.

Detective are also appealing for information about a separate assault in Kells, Co Antrim at around the same time.

Shortly before 1am, three masked men armed with hammers entered a property on Crosshill View and began assaulting a man as he lay in bed.

The 35-year-old victim was struck a number of times with the hammer about the legs.

Police said he was also "subjected to sectarian slurs".

"Damage was also caused to items in the bedroom and the living room window was smashed," a spokeswoman said.

"Outside the property, the windows of a car were smashed and the remnants of two petrol bombs were located, however it appeared the devices had not ignited.

"The men have been described as being of medium to well build, aged in their 30s, and spoke with local accents. All three were wearing black face masks.

Detectives have asked for anyone in the area at the time or who saw anything suspicious to call them on 101 and quote reference number 81 of 02/07/21.