Masked man attacks Bradley in bar

Denis Bradley is in a stable condition in hospital

The vice-chairman of the Policing Board, Dennis Bradley, is in hospital with a head injury after being attacked in a bar in Londonderry.

He was set upon by a hooded man with a type of baseball bat as he watched a football match with his son on Tuesday. He was not seriously injured.

The police said a major line of inquiry was that dissident republicans were behind the attack at Leckey Road.

Mr Bradley's home has previously been attacked and he has received threats.

Chief Superintendent Richard Russell said police would be looking into these previous incidents.

"Our major line of inquiry has to be that dissident republicans were behind this particular attack," he said.

"It doesn't seem to have been a random attack, although it may well have been an opportunistic attack."

I am sure that I speak on behalf of every member of the board and its staff in roundly condemning this totally unwarranted attack Sir Des Rea Policing Board chairman

One man who was in the bar at about 2200 BST, when the incident happened, said people were shocked.

"We were watching the match, we didn't see what happened, but it is awful," he said.

A spokesman for Altnagelvin Hospital said Mr Bradley was in a stable condition and was being assessed. He is expected to be allowed home later on Wednesday.

SDLP leader Mark Durkan visited Mr Bradley in hospital and said he "managed to appear composed" despite his injuries from a vicious attack.

'Unwarranted attack'

"His head was bandaged and his nose was bandaged and he was awaiting stitches," he said.

"He went to a bar he knew was showing the match and he was sitting there with his son.

"He had obviously chatted to other people in the place when he arrived and somebody just came in with what I understand was a cut-down baseball bat and attacked him.

"It was a vicious and appalling attack on a man who is simply showing public service and community leadership and who can argue his views clearly.

"He is a man who can take the views of others and explain and justify his actions - none of which can be said of his attackers."

Sir Desmond Rea, chairman of the Policing Board - which holds the PSNI to account - said he was shocked and appalled by the "vicious" attack.

"I am sure that I speak on behalf of every member of the board and its staff in roundly condemning this totally unwarranted attack," he added.

Mr Bradley, a former priest, was involved in community and mediation work in Derry for many years.

Meanwhile, a 26-year-old man has been charged with disorderly behaviour after police investigating the attack on Mr Bradley said they were attacked.

Several petrol bombs and other missiles were thrown.