A young man suffered two broken legs when he was attacked by a gang claiming to be from the IRA. The 19 year old was beaten at home in west Belfast shortly after midnight on Monday.
The gang broke into the house about 9 p.m. and held the victim's parents hostage until he returned home. They assaulted him with iron bars.
About the same time, a 31 year old man was beaten by a number of men armed with sticks and iron bars at his home in Glebe Walk, Lisburn. Both men were yesterday being treated in hospital.
