The burnt out boat in Portballintrae, County Antrim (Images: McAuley Multimedia)
Police have made three arrests following a report of an assault outside a boat club in the Beach Road area of Portballintrae.
Inspector Armour said:
“At approximately 7.45pm on Monday, 3rd June police received a report that an altercation had ensued between a number of men in the pier area concerning a flag that was displayed on a boat. The boat was later set alight and extensively damaged.
“Officers attended the scene, and one man required hospital treatment for his injuries.
“Three men aged 25, 63 and 30, were all arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including criminal damage and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
“The 63-year-old man has since been released on bail, whilst the other two men remain in custody at this time as enquiries continue. We are treating this report as a sectarian-motivated hate crime and we are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and noticed what happened.
“Anyone with any information or who may have mobile, CCTV or other footage can contact police on 101 quoting reference 1651 03/06/24.”
Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/