Ukrainian injured in NI attack

A Ukrainian man seriously injured in an attack in Northern Ireland may have been targeted by loyalist racists, it emerged today.

The victim suffered severe head injuries in the assault in Ballymena, Co Antrim.

He was with a group of fellow Ukrainians on the Galgorn Road when they were confronted by two men who had come from a nearby loyalist bonfire site.

A police spokeswoman said: “The men started to push the Ukrainians and a scuffle broke out during which the victim was pushed to the ground.”

The rest of the group managed to escape from the attackers during the incident on Saturday.

As details emerged today the spokeswoman added: “Police have not ruled out a racist motive for the attack.”