Stewart Dickson MLA said: "For the past number of weeks hundreds of bikers have been making the trip to Carrickfergus for friendship and camaraderie as the bike meet continued to grow in popularity. I know a lot of hard work by the organisers went into making this event a welcoming space.
 
"Sadly, what occurred on Wednesday night was not in keeping with the overall ethos of what the storming of the castle bike meet was intended to be.
 
“I am shocked at this stabbing, particularly as it has resulted in life-altering injuries for the victim and we must pay tribute to all the emergency services involved last night.
 
"I’d appeal to anyone with information to please contact the PSNI urgently so that the perpetrator can be apprehended.”