Man nailed to fence and vans set on fire in ‘sinister’ Bushmills attack

A man has been found nailed to a fence with a bolt through both hands in a public car park Bushmills, Northern Ireland.

The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning (5 May) in Bushmills, Co Antrim was described as “sinister” by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Police received a report shortly after midnight that the man, who is in his 20s, had been found with his hands nailed to a fence, with one nail through each hand.

The man, who has not been identified and also has injuries to his nose, was taken hospital where his condition was described as not life threatening.

Police who attended the scene said two vans parked in a nearby public car park had also been set on fire.

Firefighters extinguished the fires and both vans, one of which belonged to the man who had been attacked, sustained extensive damage.

Officers said graffiti found on a nearby gable wall of a public toilets building was being linked to the assault and arson.

The police urge anyone who witnessed the incident or who has footage to come forward with information.

In a statement, the PSNI said: “This was a sinister attack which has left this man with potentially life-changing injuries.

“Everyone has the right to live their life free from the threat of violence and this brutal attack by people who violate the human rights of others must be universally condemned.

“We live in a democratic society where there is no justification for this. Those responsible brutalise their own communities and control others through intimidation and violence.

“This happened in a residential area with a number of holiday lets which would be busy during this bank holiday weekend and we are asking anyone who noticed anything or who may have dashcam footage to contact us urgently on 101 or confidently to Crimestoppers.”

Police said paramilitary involvement was one key line of inquiry, the BBC reports.

The victim was taken to hospital in an ambulance shortly after being discovered.

Bushmills is a majority Protestant area in County Antrim, with a population of just 1,000.

It’s mainly known for its centuries-old whisky distillery and its proximity to the coastal tourist attraction the Giant’s Causeway.

TUV leader and North Antrim MLA Jim Allister condemned the incident, saying there was no place for mob rule.

He added: “I express my dismay at the gruesome and cruel attack carried out in the village”.

Additional reporting by Press Association.