Man Abducted And Attacked In Strabane

A man has sustained serious injuries after being abducted and attacked in Strabane.

The incident happened in the Carlton Drive area at around 11pm on Thursday, 10 August.

The victim, 22, was walking along the road when he was pulled into a grey van and had a hood placed over his head. His hands and feet were also bound.

The van was then driven out of town before stopping and a number of men assaulted the victim.

Police believe there may be paramilitary involvement.

Detective Sergeant Brian Reid said: "The victim sustained some serious injuries during this ordeal including a large gash to the head and a suspected broken arm.

"While the injuries are not life threatening, this was a horrifying attack that will have had a major impact on the victim and his loved ones.

"I am appealing for community help in identifying the perpetrators of this crime. There can be no justification for criminal groups carrying out such brutal attacks, attempting to control communities through fear and violence."

SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan said: "I completely condemn this disturbing attack committed against a 22-year-old man last night. This man has been left seriously injured by those who think they can take the law into their own hands.

"Strabane has witnessed a spate of attacks on individuals and families in recent months, which is completely unacceptable. The message must be put out there, and it must be clear, that these attacks have no place in our society.

"I have been liaising closely with the PSNI on this crime and I’d ask anyone who has any knowledge of the criminals involved or their movements to ring 101 and give this vital information to the authorities. Only then can we weed this type of criminal activity out of our communities."

Sinn Féin MLA Michaela Boyle said: "Regardless of whatever reasons are being used to justify this attack there can be absolutely no justification given for subjecting this young man to such a terrifying and brutal ordeal.

"As with two equally despicable pipe-bomb attacks carried out against local people in Strabane in recent week, people of the town are shocked and horrified at hearing about what happened here last night.

"Such actions do not only have a devastating impact on the victim and the victim’s family but they diminish us all as a wider community.

"Those involved in last night’s and other recent attacks need to heed the will of the people in community for all such squalid attacks to end."

(CD/JP)