East Europeans Targeted in Northern Ireland

A string of apparently xenophobic attacks has been noted in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In one incident, three women were beaten with baseball bats when masked men broke into their house and assaulted them.

The attacks appear to be aimed at people from Eastern Europe. According to the BBC

Police are also investigating an arson attack in Carrickfergus at 0800 BST on Sunday.

The back of the house at Burleigh Drive was extensively damaged after an oil tank caught fire.

It is believed the people who live in the house are Polish nationals. No-one was injured in the incident.

On Saturday, a Latvian man was attacked by two men on the Moira Road in Lisburn.

They beat him with baseball bats and sticks. He suffered a serious eye injury and head injuries.

Meanwhile, a man arrested in connection with an attack in Castledawson has been released on police bail.

The victim, who is understood to be Lithuanian, was assaulted at a house in Riverside South on Sunday.