Northern Ireland

Man punched and hit with crowbar during Belfast city centre attack

Police said a man was later arrested in Downpatrick

Police have issued an appeal for information and witnesses following the incident in Crossmaglen
Police said the victim was assaulted in the Patterson’s Place area in the early hours of Thursday (Niall Carson/PA)
By Suzanne McGonagle

Police have appealed for information after a man was punched and attacked with a crowbar in Belfast city centre.

The victim was assaulted in the Patterson’s Place area in the early hours of Thursday.

A PSNI spokeswoman said it was reported that a white and black coloured Audi pulled up outside licensed premises “sometime between 2am and 3am”.

“The driver exited the vehicle and punched a man, then a passenger got out and struck the same man with a crowbar,” she said.

”The victim sustained injuries to his head and leg.

“A short time later, officers attended a property in Downpatrick and subsequently arrested a man in his 20s on suspicion of a number of offences including possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.”

The spokeswoman said the man was later “released on bail to allow for further enquiries to be carried out”.

She added: “I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the attack or to anyone with CCTV, doorbell or other footage that could assist with enquiries to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference 144 13/02/24.”