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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Bonfire attack 'link to protest' | Bonfire attack 'link to protest' |
| (2 days later) | |
| A savage attack on a man in Larne is being linked to a loyalist protest outside the homes of several people in the town last month. | |
| He was taken to hospital with serious head injuries after the attack in the Cairngorm Drive area on 10 July. | He was taken to hospital with serious head injuries after the attack in the Cairngorm Drive area on 10 July. |
| It is understood the attack was carried out by loyalist paramilitaries who wrongly believed he was part of a gang carrying out burglaries in the town. | It is understood the attack was carried out by loyalist paramilitaries who wrongly believed he was part of a gang carrying out burglaries in the town. |
| The loyalist protest took place at about midnight on 26 July. | The loyalist protest took place at about midnight on 26 July. |
| The attack on the 22-year-old man was one of a series of attacks on homes and vehicles on 10 July, which are understood to have been carried out by the same group. | The attack on the 22-year-old man was one of a series of attacks on homes and vehicles on 10 July, which are understood to have been carried out by the same group. |
| The group of men are believed to be members of the South East Antrim UDA and UVF. | The group of men are believed to be members of the South East Antrim UDA and UVF. |
| A security source told the BBC the men came into Larne to deal with a local gang who were rumoured to be responsible for a series of burglaries over the past number of months. | A security source told the BBC the men came into Larne to deal with a local gang who were rumoured to be responsible for a series of burglaries over the past number of months. |
| Another source said the burglars previously had links to loyalist paramilitaries in the town, but a dispute arose after the gang allegedly targeted the home of a family who had connections to local paramilitaries. | Another source said the burglars previously had links to loyalist paramilitaries in the town, but a dispute arose after the gang allegedly targeted the home of a family who had connections to local paramilitaries. |
| The man was attacked at a house in the Cairngorm Drive area | The man was attacked at a house in the Cairngorm Drive area |
| It is understood other people alleged to have been members of the burglary gang have since left the town and are in hiding. | It is understood other people alleged to have been members of the burglary gang have since left the town and are in hiding. |
| Last week, the mother of one man condemned police for allowing up to 60 loyalists to protest outside her home. | Last week, the mother of one man condemned police for allowing up to 60 loyalists to protest outside her home. |
| "They have made accusations about someone in my family, but they know the person that they are not happy with does not reside at my home," she said. | "They have made accusations about someone in my family, but they know the person that they are not happy with does not reside at my home," she said. |
| "He doesn't live here and hasn't lived here for seven or eight months." | "He doesn't live here and hasn't lived here for seven or eight months." |
| A police spokesman would not comment on whether there was an connection between the earlier incidents and the protest. | A police spokesman would not comment on whether there was an connection between the earlier incidents and the protest. |
| He said a motive for the assault on the 10 July was under investigation. | He said a motive for the assault on the 10 July was under investigation. |
| He also said that an ongoing investigation was being held to ascertain "what if any offences where committed by those participating in the protest". | He also said that an ongoing investigation was being held to ascertain "what if any offences where committed by those participating in the protest". |