PSNI: Masked gangs attack victims with hammers twice in same night

In one attack up to six masked men beat a man with sledgehammers in his Rasharkin home during a suspected paramilitary attack, police said.

The aggravated burglary took place at a house in the Lisheegan Road area on Tuesday.

The gang entered the house at around 11.45pm armed with sledgehammers and other items, and attacked a resident in his 20s. The victim suffered fractures and puncture wounds to his arms and legs and a collapsed lung, and is receiving treatment in hospital.

A female occupant in her 50s was held down on the floor by the intruders throughout the attack and was left with bruising to her face.

Detective Inspector McKenna said: “This attack, which bears all the hallmarks of a paramilitary-style assault, was absolutely barbaric and has left a young man in hospital with horrendous injuries today. The physical injuries will hopefully heal with time but this incident will likely affect both victims for a very long time. There is no place in our society for such attacks and we are now working to establish a motive and to find those responsible.”

She called for information on tel 101 ref 1731/17/03/20 or anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

An earlier attack took place 17 miles away just over two hours earlier at a house at Ashgrove Park in Magherafelt.

Detective Sergeant Paula McGale said up to seven armed and masked males forced entry to the house at around 9.20pm and assaulted the male occupant with hammers and knives. He is being treated in hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The gang left in a “shiny dark BMW”.

Police are appealing for information on the car on Cookstown tel 101 quoting ref 1477/17/03/20 or on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.