Four arrested in Belfast over stabbing attack

Police in Belfast are questioning a number of men over a serious assault in the city overnight

Police in Belfast are questioning a number of men over a serious assault in the city overnight. Two loyalist bandsmen were stabbed in the attack as they were walking along the Shore Road.

A police spokeswoman said police arrested four young men after the attack which they consider to be sectarian.

The victims were in their bandsmen's uniforms when they were set upon by four men at around 2.30am.

One of the bandsmen was stabbed in the neck and a second in the stomach. Both were taken to hospital in a serious condition and one underwent emergency surgery.

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Police said they were treating the attack as attempted murder and four men in their late teens and early twenties are being questioned in Newry.

The area around the scene of the attack was sealed of while a full forensic examination was carried out.

It is believed the bandsmen had been on their way home after attending a loyalist band parade in the Sandy Row area of Belfast last night.