A man was dragged from a car and beaten by up to eight men as a woman and two-month old child watched on in horror.
The man was taken from his car at a set of traffic lights in the Edenderry area of Portadown and beaten in what is being described as a “sectarian attack”.
The assault comes just days after a bonfire in the area was set alight ahead of its official burning tonight (Monday).
Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie has re-issued his calls for calm following this latest incident.
“People are very angry because of what people did to the bonfire in Edenderry but to take it out on this individual was totally unnecessary,” he said.
“There was a two-month-old baby in the back of this vehicle and a woman as well.
“I am appealing for calm on all sides. People can’t take the law into their own hands. I have no doubt there will be arrests for assaulting this man soon.
“I call on people to step back from this. It is in some people’s interests to see the 12th become violent. We should not allow this.
“Last year was the best 12th ever. Let’s make it even better and peaceful this year.”
Calls for upgrade of CCTV across Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough
CCTV images captured a violent and suspected sectarian assault in Portadown on Sunday evening.
The incident happened in the Bridge Street area of Edenderry.
Sinn Féin’s Deputy Lord Mayor Paul Duffy has also condemned the incident.
“I am appalled to learn of this sectarian assault which included damage to a car in the Bridge Street area of Edenderry,” he said.
“I want to first of all extend my sympathies to the victim.
“The perpetrators have been captured on CCTV and the PSNI have informed us that they are following this up.
“Those responsible should face the full force of the law.
“The resounding message must be that there is absolutely no place for sectarianism in our society. I urge the local community to rally behind this message.”
