An 18-year-old youth was critically ill in hospital in Belfast today after being attacked, beaten and stabbed in the west of the city.
He was walking along the Stewartstown Road with a group of friends when a gang of around 20 men attacked them.
The youth suffered serious head injuries and was stabbed in the stomach.
The RUC said several of his friends were also injured but not seriously.
Police appealed for information from anyone who saw the attack which happened soon after 3 a.m. on Sunday.
PA
