Two arrested over nightclub attack

Two men were today arrested by police investigating an assault outside a Co Antrim nightclub which left a Belfast student critically ill.

Chris Whitson, 20, from the Strathmore Park area of north Belfast, suffered serious head injuries when he was set upon in the car park of Kelly’s nightclub in Portrush last weekend.

A 28-year-old man from Broughshane and a 20-year-old man from Ballymena are currently being questioned by police.

Officers issued a fresh appeal for information about the attack, which they are treating as sectarian, yesterday and were anxious to speak to a group of 16 people who left the nightclub on a bus bound for the two Co Antrim towns.

A police spokesman said the trouble started when the victim and his friends became involved in an argument with a number of other men inside the club.

"During this verbal dispute it became apparent through the mention of a Christian name that at least one of the group to which the victim belonged was a Catholic," he said.

"He and his friends were subjected to sectarian taunting as a result and a brief fight broke out. Security staff broke up this fight and all parties were ejected.

"Another fight took place in the car park during which he received the serious injuries that left him critically injured."

The police spokesman said that although the car park was busy at the time of the incident, few witnesses had come forward.

Mr Whitson, who attends university in Scotland, had been celebrating his brother’s birthday with friends.