Bushmills, County Antrim – A man was discovered nailed to a fence in a car park in Bushmills, County Antrim, leading to widespread condemnation of the brutal attack. The victim, a man in his 20s, was found with nails in both hands and injuries to his nose in the Dundarave Park area. He was promptly taken to the hospital in the early hours of Sunday for treatment.
The Northern Ireland fire and rescue service responded to the scene where two vans, one belonging to the injured man, were found on fire. Graffiti on a nearby wall of public toilets was linked to the violent attack and the arson that took place. Approximately 20 visitors in campervans and mobile homes were reported to have been in the area during the assault, adding shock and concern to the community.
Authorities from the Police Service of Northern Ireland revealed that the victim suffered life-changing but not life-threatening injuries due to the sinister attack. It was mentioned that paramilitary involvement is among the lines of inquiry being thoroughly investigated by the police. The assistant chief constable, Bobby Singleton, expressed that such criminal and violent behavior cannot be tolerated in a peaceful community and must be condemned.
Local politicians shared their sentiments, with Alliance party assembly member (MLA) Sian Mulholland stressing the importance of relying on the police and justice system instead of resorting to vigilantism in Northern Ireland in the year 2024. Traditional Unionist Voice MLA, Jim Allister, reiterated that lawful authorities should handle law-breaking, emphasizing that mob rule has no place in their society.
This incident marks a rare occurrence, as the last reported attack of a similar nature took place over two decades ago. In 2002, a 23-year-old man from west Belfast was found “crucified” and with broken legs in a loyalist area in the south of the city. The victim had to undergo surgery to remove wooden splinters left in his hands after the 6-inch nails were extracted, highlighting the gravity and lasting impact of such violent acts.