Woman's jaw broken in street assault

The victim was returning home from work

The police are investigating a street assault on a woman who had her jaw and teeth broken by a gang of women in Londonderry.

The woman was walking through Moss Park in the Galliagh area of Derry on her way home from work on Saturday shortly before 2300 GMT.

Three women grabbed her from behind, pulled her to the ground, and kicked and punched her.

The woman had to have stitches on her face and hand. And she has a deep cut on her tongue.

It was very shocking for me to see her with bruises and cuts all over her face and with a look of bewilderment and fear in her eyes, wondering why this happened to her

Parish priest Father Bradley

She is still being treated in hospital, where she is in a stable condition.

Parish priest Father Shane Bradley visited her in hospital.

He said the local community was shocked by the vicious nature of the attack.

"She is a highly regarded person who is very kind and jolly and sharing. I have only met her once, through work," he said.

"She is a lovely person and made me very welcome.

"It was very shocking for me to see her very upset with bruises and cuts all over her face and with a look of bewilderment and fear in her eyes, wondering why this happened to her."

Police in Derry are appealing to anyone who knows anything about the attack to contact them.