Police exploring paramilitary links after violent Derry-Londonderry attack

Q Newsdesk

Police say they're looking into loyalist paramilitary links after 3 men were violently attacked in Derry-Londonderry.

It happened early this morning  in the Waterside area of the city.

Police were called out after they recieved a tip-off that a number of men had been seen walking along Bonds Street armed with sledgehammers and hammers.

When they arrived to the scene, they found two men in their 30s and one in his 40s with injuries.

Detective Sergeant Ray Phelan said:

We believe the three men were the victims of an unprovoked and cowardly attack by four assailants armed with weapons. 

We are working to establish how the men sustained their injuries, who was responsible, what the circumstances were leading up to the incident and we are making a number of appeals. 

Were you in the Bonds Street or Lower Glendermott Road area between 1am and 1:40am this morning? Did you see any suspicious activity? Did you see a number of men walking along Bonds Street armed with hammers? 

We are keen to hear from anyone who was socialising in licensed premises on the Dungiven Road last night, and who witnessed any type of altercation. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at Strand Road on the non emergency number 101, quoting reference number 154 of 13/05/18. 

Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”