“I am horrified by the footage emerging from North Belfast, depicting some of the most depraved and barbaric violence I have ever seen,” she said.

 

“My thoughts are with the victim and all those who witnessed this deeply disturbing incident. This extreme brutality has no place whatsoever in our society.

 

“The investigation must be allowed to take its course. We must give the PSNI the space and support they need to establish the full facts and ensure that the individual responsible is held to account. Our focus must remain on securing justice and ensuring that those responsible face the full force of the law.

 

“I’d appeal to anyone with any information that could help police to contact them urgently to help them with their investigation.”