A Co Derry councillor has spoken out after he was the victim of an 'unprovoked' and 'vicious' assault in the early hours of Friday morning.
Aontú Cllr Emmet Doyle, a member of Derry City & Strabane District Council says he was attacked in the Waterloo Street area of Derry city and believes he was targeted for his views on abortion.
In a statement today, the councillor says he intends to "ensure the perpetrators are identified and prosecuted."
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He said: “Whilst in the city centre in the early hours of Friday morning I suffered a vicious assault in Waterloo Street.
"After entering a food establishment alone, a group of people entered...They engaged me verbally and I left with my order.
"On leaving the premises I was accosted and received a cut to my head, bruises and black eyes. The attack was unprovoked.
"As an elected representative, I passionately defend what I believe in and act on behalf of constituents regardless of their views. I would never think of physically attacking an opponent, we are all entitled to our views and the respect to communicate them.
"I rang the police after the event to report the attack, but they didn’t attend the scene and rang me some time later.
"I was contacted and asked to come to the Strand Road Police Station this afternoon which I did, to be told no one was available to take my statement. I will attempt to do so again in the coming days."
"I’m deeply grateful for the messages and support I have received from my party leader, Peadar Tóibín TD, family, party colleagues, constituents and colleagues from across Council.
"Our city centre should be safe for anyone. Violence is entirely unacceptable no matter the victim and I intend to ensure the perpetrators are identified and prosecuted.
"Nothing will stop me serving my constituents, I won’t be silenced.”
A PSNI spokesperson said: "Police in Derry/Londonderry received a report of an assault at Waterloo Street in the early hours of Friday 9th September.
"It was reported that a man was punched several times to his face by an unknown male at around 1:20am on Friday morning. The man did not require medical treatment.
"Anyone with any information about this incident or who may be able to help with our investigation is asked to call police at Strand Road on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 100 09/09/22 or submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/."
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