PSNI hold meetings after trouble

Four men were assaulted during separate attacks

Police commanders in Carrickfergus have met community representatives, following trouble involving rival loyalists in the town.

Four men were attacked with bricks, hammers and meat cleavers on the Woodburn and Castlemara estates at about 2200 BST on Sunday.

Police were attacked by a crowd of up to 50 people during follow-up searches.

At one point a crossbow bolt fired at an officer struck a police Land Rover. No-one was injured.

Superintendant John Fenton said while there had been a "fall-out" he did not believe the situation would develop into a feud.

"I would certainly appeal to the various community representatives to try and work together to resolve any differences," Mr Fenton said.

"I do have to stress that speculation that this is a feud now is very unhelpful."

Lethal weapon

Carrickfergus Alliance councillor Sean Neeson said the attack on the police was "outrageous".

The town's mayor, David Hilditch, condemned the attacks

"A crossbow is a lethal weapon and this attack should be considered as attempted murder," he said.

"The community in Carrick as a whole are right behind the police in enforcing the law."

The town's DUP mayor David Hilditch appealed for an end to such trouble in Carrickfergus.

"After a long number of years of stability in the town, it is regrettable and actually despicable that this activity would again emerge on our streets," he said.

None of the men who were assaulted has made a complaint to police. Their conditions are not known.

Police have appealed for anyone with information concerning the attacks to contact them.