Gang of masked men beat woman in Antrim

A woman was beaten in a vicious paramilitary attack in the North early today.

A gang of three masked men forced their way into a house in Ballymoney, Co Antrim, and assaulted the 56-year-old.

The woman, who was alone in the house, was battered around the body with a baseball bat, suffering what police said was severe bruising.

She was taken to hospital for treatment.

A police spokesman said the motive for the attack had not been established but it was believed to have been carried out by a paramilitary group.

The gang ransacked the house in the Mosside area, causing damage before making off in a waiting car.