Man stabbed after confronting group

A car was damaged in the incident

A 43-year-old man is in a stable condition in hospital after being stabbed in north Belfast.

The Catholic father of five was attacked after he confronted several men, believed to be loyalists, who were damaging a car.

The car was outside the man's house at Newington Street near the Limestone Road area in the city.

He also had cuts to his shoulder and hand after he was beaten about the head and body.

The guy is lucky he wasn't killed

Neighbour

The attackers ran off after a neighbour arrived at the scene.

Another neighbour, who did not want to be identified, said the victim was bleeding heavily.

He said: "His head was wide open and local people were literally just holding his head together as the blood was pouring out of it.

"He was drifting in and out of consciousness and the guy is lucky he wasn't killed.

"People are justifiably angry at what's going on but they're terrified.

"As far as anyone can see, these people aren't going to be happy until we're carrying bodies out of this area."

Investigation

The man was taken to the city's Mater hospital where his condition is described as "stable".

Police investigating the stabbing have appealed for any witnesses to contact them.

Sinn Fein councillor Gerard Brophy blamed the largest loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Defence Association, of being behind the attack.

He said: "It was a well-orchestrated attempted murder once again by the UDA.

However, a loyalist community worker, Eddie McClean, said he did not believe the incident had been sectarian.

He said he believed car thieves were responsible.

Police patrols

Meanwhile, the police said there would be more patrols in the Limestone area, following calls from local community representatives.

North Belfast commander Roger Maxwell said the level of policing in the Limestone Road and throughout north Belfast was constantly under review.

He also called on politicians and community leaders to work together to stamp out sectarian clashes.

"The problems of the Limestone Road are community issues and we would call upon elected representatives and other people of influence in the area to sit down and thrash out these particularly difficult issues," he said.