Kelly slams those responsible for Ardoyne punishment attack

Sinn Féin MLA for north Belfast Gerry Kelly has slammed those responsible for a punishment attack against a man in Ardoyne on Saturday.

“A young man was assaulted and humiliated by having paint thrown over him in public in Ardoyne. He was threatened not to talk to the police or the news media," said Kelly.

"Given that the action was deliberately public it was inconceivable that it would not be brought to the attention of either the media or the PSNI. If this issue wasn’t so serious it would be truly laughable and highlights the ridiculousness of this grouping.

"The members of the so-called “Óglaigh na hÉireann” group then returned on Sunday on the basis of newspaper reports and ordered the young man to leave the country; my understanding is that the young man in fact didn’t go the media himself.

"Let me be very clear, these people do not represent the community; I condemn their futile actions outright. If people have evidence of crime and anti-social activity then they should seek redress through the courts.”