Police investigating serious assault in Derry make three arrests

Police investigating a serious assault on a man in Derry last summer have made a total of three arrests.

The arrests follow a report at around midnight on Friday, August 29 from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service that a man had sustained serious injuries in the Waterloo Street area.

Police attended and spoke with the man and a number of witnesses, who alleged that the man, aged in his 30s, had been set upon by a group of masked men, dressed in dark clothing. He was taken to hospital for treatment, where it was established that he had sustained severe facial and back injuries.

As a result of the police investigation into the incident, to date, three arrests have been made.

Two men, aged 34 years and 45 years old, arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, were released on bail to allow for further police enquiries to be conducted following their arrest on November 5 last year.

A 44-year-old man arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm during a planned arrest and search operation in the city today, Thursday, January 15 remains in police custody at this time.

Today's operation, which is linked to INLA criminality, was conducted and supported by colleagues from Derry City & Strabane local district officers, colleagues from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force and Maydown Tactical Support Group. To date, a number of items have been seized.

The investigation continues.

Superintendent Sinead McIldowney said: "We will continue to work relentlessly to tackle all types of criminality in an ongoing effort to rid our communities of the harm those involved are causing.

“We would like to thank the local community for their continued support and will continue to act on the information you provide us. I would encourage anyone with information regarding criminal activity to contact police on 101.”