FIGHTING FOR LIFE

A 27-year-old man was arrested on Christmas Eve and questioned about the incident.

He was later released on bail pending further inquiries.

The 36-year-old victim was found lying injured near the Rushmere roundabout on the Lake Road shortly after 3am last Thursday (December 22).

Details remain sketchy, but it’s believed he suffered head injuries and was robbed during the attack.

Police say he remains seriously ill in Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital.

Lake Road was closed for a number of hours while police officers carried out a search of the area.

SDLP councillor Joe Nelson condemned the attack, describing it as “sinister”.

“It’s as bad an incident we have seen in quite a while,” said Councillor Nelson.

“Indeed, this would seem to be much more than just an assault. It was of a particularly sinister nature.”

He continued: “This is an incident that anyone would utterly condemn.

“Following on from what happened in Taghnevan a number of months ago, this is another very serious assault which has taken place in the borough.”

In July, a Lithuanian woman was subject to a serious sexual assault in a flat in Dingwell Park. A man was also severely beaten during the ordeal, which lasted a number of hours.

Of the most recent incident, Councillor Nelson continued: “I wish the victim a full recovery and I hope the police are successful in finding whoever was responsible for this and taking them off the streets.”

DUP councillor Carla Lockhart also condemned the assault. She said: “I would condemn any such attack, and I would urge anyone with information to contact the police and support them in their efforts to find the culprits.”

Detectives are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed an assault or has any information in relation to this incident to contact them at Craigavon on 0845 600 8000.

Information about crime can also be passed anonymously to the crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.