
Man in hospital after attack by masked gang armed with bats and hammers
A man has been taken to hospital after being attacked by a gang of masked men armed with bats and hammers in east Belfast.
Police are appealing for information following the incident which happened in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The group of up to eight men called at a property in Loopland Park at around 12.20am before forcing their way inside.
They then assaulted the resident causing injuries to the victim's head and body.
PSNI Detective Sergeant Kitchen said the wounded man was taken to hospital where he received treatment for his injuries.
'I am appealing to anyone who may have noticed the men in the area or to anyone with CCTV, door-bell or other footage that could assist with enquiries to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference 25 17/08/25," they added.
'Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting.
Loopland Park in East Belfast. Photo credit: Google Maps
Today's News in 90 Seconds - 17 August
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Sunday World
25 minutes ago
- Sunday World
Councillor hits out at anti-immigrant graffiti targeting asylum seekers in Belfast
The square has been at the centre of recent anti-immigrant protests Those responsible for graffiti on the wall at an east Belfast square targeting asylum seekers should be 'ashamed', an Alliance Party councillor has said. The message scrawled onto a wall alongside crudely painted crosshairs at CS Lewis Square close to the Newtownards Road reads: 'Asylum seekers will be dealt with'. Alliance Party councillor Peter McReynolds said the message had been reported to police. "Depressing to see this kind of graffiti appearing near CS Lewis Square in East Belfast, especially in what is a positive and inclusive space,' he posted on his X account. 'I've reported it and it will be removed. Those who did this should be ashamed of themselves.' We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The square is named after the renowned Belfast-born author of the Chronicles of Narnia and features seven bronze sculptures from 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe', including Aslan, The White Witch, Mr Tumnus, The Beavers, The Robin and The Stone Table. The PSNI has been approached for comment. In recent months, a number of anti-immigration protests and rallies have been held in the square, which has also featured in videos posted by social media accounts showing people engaged in vigilante-style activity. Last week, TikTok took action to ban a number of accounts linked to the activity. The @irishbreedulsterr handle, which belonged to the Irish Bred Ulster Rared TikTok account, had amassed more than 19,500 followers and over 116,000 likes before it was banned from the platform. Videos showing individuals aggressively confronting members of ethnic minority communities were being posted on the account until Monday evening. Anyone trying to access the account is now met with a message informing them the account is banned. 'The account irishbreedulsterr is no longer available,' the message adds. The PSNI has distanced themselves from those involved, labelling the activity as 'racism pure and simple'. Members of the group had suggested on social media that they had been working closely with the PSNI, claiming officers have publicly 'thanked them' in the past. In response, the PSNI released a statement saying: 'Such activity is not protecting this community, it is attempting to control it. It is racism pure and simple.' Last week, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly also condemned the behaviour. "Any vigilantism is wrong. It must be condemned. It has no place in Northern Ireland,' she said. The graffiti in east Belfast Today's News in 90 Seconds - 17 August


Sunday World
4 hours ago
- Sunday World
Man in hospital after attack by masked gang armed with bats and hammers
Police are appealing for information following the incident which happened in the early hours of Sunday morning A man has been taken to hospital after being attacked by a gang of masked men armed with bats and hammers in east Belfast. Police are appealing for information following the incident which happened in the early hours of Sunday morning. The group of up to eight men called at a property in Loopland Park at around 12.20am before forcing their way inside. They then assaulted the resident causing injuries to the victim's head and body. PSNI Detective Sergeant Kitchen said the wounded man was taken to hospital where he received treatment for his injuries. 'I am appealing to anyone who may have noticed the men in the area or to anyone with CCTV, door-bell or other footage that could assist with enquiries to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference 25 17/08/25," they added. 'Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting. Loopland Park in East Belfast. Photo credit: Google Maps Today's News in 90 Seconds - 17 August


Irish Post
9 hours ago
- Irish Post
Councillor blames people 'fuelled by conspiracies' after latest spate of attacks on Belfast 5G masts
A SINN FÉIN councillor has blamed people who are 'fuelled by conspiracies' for another spate of attacks on 5G masts in Belfast. Ciaran Beattie was speaking after a mast was set alight in the Beechmount area of west Belfast in the early hours of Saturday morning, the third such fire in as many days. Police have appealed for information as they warn of the dangers to those carrying out the attacks as well as the risks posed to those affected. On Wednesday evening, a mast was set on fire in the Annadale Embankment area of south Belfast in an incident police are treating as arson. The following evening, a mast was targeted in the Glen Road area of west Belfast before the latest fire in Beechmount. 'Lives could be lost' "These vital pieces of infrastructure keep thousands of homes, businesses and public services connected across our city," said Councillor Beattie. "The campaign against 5G masts, driven by a small minority and fuelled by conspiracies, must end. "Anyone with information should contact the PSNI. Those responsible must face the full force of the law." Party colleague Councillor Ronan McLaughlin warned that the ongoing attacks could cost lives. Speaking after Thursday's fire, he said: "That these arsonists feel comfortable carrying out these acts in broad daylight on a main road is deeply concerning, and is an indictment of the lack of action taken to date. "With poor connectivity now common in west Belfast, there is a real risk lives could be lost because of weak phone signal. "It's time for those involved to face justice and be taken off our streets." Hospitals affected Police have warned that some of the damage caused has led to hospitals experiencing communication difficulties in contacting patients and managing critical on-call arrangements. They added that vulnerable members of the public are being left in a position where they are unable to make emergency calls or contact family. Speaking after the latest fire, Detective Inspector Wilson of the PSNI said they were treating the 'extremely reckless' attack as arson. "This is just one of a number of 5G masts that have been set on fire recently and I cannot emphasise enough the dangers of lighting fire to electrical equipment," he said. "This is extremely reckless, and those responsible are putting themselves and members of the public at serious risk."