Assaulted by busload of men

A MAN was kicked and punched in the head by a busload of attackers in the town centre at the weekend.

The 20-year-old was left with injuries to his head and face after up to 10 men came off a bus and assaulted him in the Rathfriland Road and Kenlis Street area at around 2.30am on Sunday morning.

The assault comes less than a month after a 19-year-old man was left with a broken jaw following an assault in the same area. No arrests have been made into that incident but police confirmed enquiries are ongoing.

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Town councillor Sheila McQuaid said the fact the assaults took place in the same area is worrying.

“This is just not good enough,” said the Alliance councillor. “It should be safe - there are community wardens, police and CCTV and this needs to be nipped in the bud.”

Mrs McQuaid called on the authorities to make appropriate use of CCTV to stop things like this happening in future.

“Surely the CCTV can see the bus, and possibly even its registration plate? Through that can the culprits not be traced? If the driver stopped to let them off did he stay to let them back on? CCTV - that’s the way forward.”

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Other local residents said they are concerned about the safety of people walking in the town late at night. One woman called the latest incident “a disgrace” and another asked “Are our streets safe on Saturday nights?”

Police have appealed for information and have asked anyone who witnessed either assault or who knows anything in relation to either incident to contact them on 0845 600 8000 or anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.