Teenager punched in face in sectarian attack in south Belfast – The Irish News

A teenager suffered an eye injury after being punched in the face during a sectarian attack, the PSNI said.

The incident happened in the Ormeau Park area of ​​south Belfast on Wednesday evening, shortly after 8.30pm.

Police said the teen was riding his bike in the area when he was approached by a number of boys also on bikes.

One of the boys allegedly directed sectarian insults at him, before hitting him in the face, which caused him an eye injury.

Inspector Carey said: “The offender was wearing a jacket with the hood up, dark colored trousers and trainers.

“An investigation into this incident, which we consider to be a sectarian hate crime, is ongoing and we are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw what happened to contact us. “

SDLP botanical adviser Gary McKeown said he was “disgusted by reports of a sectarian attack on a teenager in Ormeau Park”.

He added: “This will cause great concern to parents in the area as many young people use the park to socialise, play sport and walk or cycle to school.

“Ormeau Park is a very diverse public space enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds, so it is really concerning that this attack took place here.

“People should be able to go about their business without fear of being attacked because of who they are. »