Barbecue attack may have been sectarian
Police in Derry today said they believed an assault which left a man fighting for his life may have been sectarian.
He was among three men attacked as they attended a barbecue and bonfire at the rear of a house in Chapel Road at around 3.40am this morning.
They were attacked by eight other young men.
One of the other victims sustained a fractured jaw and the third man was badly bruised during the incident.
Police have appealed to anyone who may have witnessed the attack or who has information to help their investigation.
There were disturbances in the aftermath of the assault including an attempted hijacking in the Gobnascale area of the city.
After the intervention of local community representatives, calm was restored by 9am.
The victim is being treated in Altnagelvin Hospital.
Nationalist SDLP leader Mark Durkan, in whose constituency the attack took place, said sectarianism needed to be faced down.
“It is appalling that anyone could be attacked so viciously,” the Foyle MP said.
“As well as totally condemning such an assault, we must offer our support and best wishes to the victims and their families.
“I know it is tough for any family to see a son injured and having to rely on the call and care of dedicated medical professionals.
“But it must be especially hard to do so when these dangerous injuries have been wilfully caused by malice and violence.
“If prejudice and sectarianism drove these attacks, the entire community leadership must resolve to face down and root out any vestige of or excuse for sectarian hatred.”
