Northern Ireland: Five Romanian citizens brutally beaten in County Antrim

Five Romanian citizens were brutally beatenwith baseball bats and driven out of their home in Hollybank Drive area of Newtownabbey, County Antrim, Northern Ireland on Sunday night, writes Belfast Telegraph stating that the Police believe it is a xenophobic incident.

It was reported that around 8.20 pm, a masked gang broke the windows and entrance door of the house, forced their way in and brutally hit the occupants. Victims of the attack were severely injured, one of them was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Seems that the assailants are members of a Loyalist paramilitary group. A witness quoted by the Belfast Telegraph said the attack reminded him of the violence during the war in Northern Ireland, involving both Catholic and Unionist paramilitary organizations such as the Irish Republican Army, as well as Protestant or Loyalist groups.

Attack was condemned by representatives of the main Northern Irish political parties.

Police are now investigating the case.

Source:RRA, Belfast Telegraph.Translated by Miruna Matei