Teenager lucky to be alive

An 18-year-old Catholic youth had a lucky escape after he was attacked in broad daylight and kicked in the head by a group of loyalists as he returned to his Mountpottinger Road home in the Short Strand on New Year's Eve.

Liam McDade was attacked by seven loyalists, all in their late 20s, at around 1.45pm as he walked along the Queens Bridge from Belfast City Centre.

McDade said he didn't think anything of the group walking towards him as it was the middle of the day. As well as being kicked about the head, the teenager was also robbed of £40 he had in his pocket.

As McDade was being attacked, a number of cars stopped and one man intervened, forcing the assailants to run off in the direction of the loyalist Lower Newtownards Road.

McDade was treated in hospital for cuts, bruising and swelling to his head.