Northern Ireland

Teen beaten with metal bars in Ballymoney attack

The 16-year-old was treated for head, leg and arm injuries after attack on Monday night

Police have urged any witnesses to come forward and speak to officers
Police are appealing for information following an attack on a 16-year-old boy in Ballymoney. (Niall Carson/PA)

A 16-year-old boy has been treated in hospital for injuries after being beaten with metal bars by masked men in an attack in Co Antrim condemned as an “unjustifiable” act of child abuse.

It happened on Monday night in the Hamilton Park area of Ballymoney.

Police received a report of the assault, involving two masked men armed with metal bars at around 10.25pm.

A PSNI spokesperson said the teenager was taken to hospital for treatment to head, arm and leg injuries.

“Our enquiries are ongoing into this incident, and we are appealing to anyone who witnessed the assault, or has any information to contact police on 101 and quoting reference 2061 of 13/05/24,” they said.



Alliance councillor Lee Kane said he was “horrified” by the attack.

“This act of child abuse must be condemned; there is no place in our society for such acts of unjustified and unjustifiable violence,” he said.

“I would urge anyone with any information about this incident to forward it to the PSNI without delay.”