THE POLICE Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) are treating as a racist hate crime an attack on a 35-year-old Lithuanian in Newry, Co Down, early yesterday morning.
The man was assaulted by a gang of four men while walking on the Armagh Road near Edward Street, shortly before 1am yesterday, according to the police. He was struck on the head by one of the men with what police suspect was a piece of timber.
He suffered a broken wrist and lacerations to his head. The gang also stole the man’s mobile phone.
The attack comes more than a month after a 40-year-old Polish man, Marek Muszynski, was murdered in the Edward Street area of the city. A number of people have been charged with that murder although police at the time did not formally describe the killing as a hate crime.
This latest racist attack happens against a growing incidence of such crime in Northern Ireland.
Last year 990 racist incidents were reported to the PSNI while the previous year 976 cases were reported. The police clearance rate for such crimes is low.
Local Sinn Féin Assembly member Mickey Brady, condemning the attack said racism has no place in society. Local SDLP Cllr Gary Stokes said the attack was a despicable act of violence.