Five held over serious assault

Victim was attacked at Gardenmore House flats

Five people are being questioned by police about an attack in County Antrim which left a man seriously injured.

The three men and two women were detained in Larne on Wednesday afternoon in connection with the attack on a 29-year-old Catholic, who remains in a serious condition in hospital.

Gerard McRandle was returning home to Gardenmore House flats in Larne early on Wednesday morning when two men confronted him.

They attacked him, kicking him repeatedly in the head. It is understood police believe there was a sectarian motive behind the assault.

Larne SDLP councillor Danny O'Connor said he was disgusted by the attack.

He said: "This is a savage act of barbarity.

"Anybody who kicks someone repeatedly about the head is trying to kill them or certainly cause them very serious damage.

Mr O'Connor added: "I would call on the public to come forward and assist the police in their inquiries."

Democratic Unionist Party councillor Jack McKee said: "This is really terrible. People in this town are getting afraid to go out. That is no way for a town to be. People should be allowed to live in peace."