Loyalist feud: Man severely beaten with baseball bats and hammers in Co Antrim pub
A gang of men drove up to the bar and attacked the man before fleeing
A man has been beaten with baseball bats and hammers in a Co Antrim pub tonight.
It is believed the attack may be linked to the latest loyalist feud in which a man was shot in Carrickfergus on Monday. George Gilmore died a short time afterwards.
The man injured in tonight’s attack is a loyalist known to the police and had previously been the victim of a so-called punishment beating.
The victim, thought to be in his early 40s, sustained severe injuries around his body and head.
He was taken by ambulance to Antrim Area Hospital.
The incident happened in McConnell’s Bar, Doagh, around 8pm when up to four men walked into the pub armed with baseball bats and hammers.
A source close to the victim, said: “He was in just relaxing and enjoying the Cheltenham drinks promotion and these men came in and lit into him.
“He didn’t stand a chance. They were on him before anyone knew what was happening.
“They hit him with hammers and baseball bats and there was furniture flying too. They hit him with anything they could get their hands on. It was brutal.
“He got a severe beating. There was blood all over the place. Then the men ran out and sped off in the car.”
The bar, which is used by locals and families during the day, was closed to the public as police and forensic officers collected evidence following the beating.
A second source said: “A car load of men turned up at gave the guy a beating with bats. They were away as quickly as they arrived.”
A spokeswoman for the Northern Trust said the injured man was being treated at Antrim Area Hospital and was in a stable condition.
