Man nailed to posts in attack near Belfast

A man had both hands nailed to wooden posts in an attack on the outskirts of Belfast early this morning.

The 23-year-old was attacked by an unknown number of men in the loyalist Seymour Hill area near Dunmurry, a Police spokesman said.

The victim had to be removed to hospital in a semi-conscious state by the Fire Service at about 4 a.m., still attached to wooden posts

He had also been battered about the legs with a blunt instrument, possibly spiked with nails, inflicting multiple punctures to his legs.

It is believed he left his house in the nationalist Poleglass yesterday to go to the social security office in Andersonstown. A motive for the attack has not been established, although it is believed it may be connected to car theft in the area.

The officer leading the hunt for the gang who savagely inflicted the multiple injuries said he did not believe it was a sectarian attack.Superintendent Gerry Murray said: "I have never come across anything so barbaric."

The PSNI is appealing for anybody with information to come forward.

Additional reporting PA