Co Down man left with serious injuries after a machete assault—two suspects were charged with intent to kill

Two men have been charged with attempted murder after a vicious machete attack in broad daylight left a man with horrific injuries in the seaside town of Newcastle, County Down.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed that the suspects, aged 60 and 30, were arrested following a violent incident in the Tipperary Lane area on Saturday afternoon, 21 June. Both have also been charged with possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence.

The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, sustained serious wounds to his face, hands, and legs. Emergency services were alerted to the scene at around 12:40pm, where they discovered the man suffering from deep lacerations believed to have been inflicted by a machete.

After the assault, the two suspects fled the scene. However, police tracked them down shortly afterwards and detained them in the Bunkers Hill area of the town. The rapid response led to swift arrests and the laying of formal charges over the weekend.

Both men are scheduled to appear before Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 23 June.

As is standard in cases of this nature, the charges will undergo review by the Public Prosecution Service to determine whether a full prosecution will proceed.

The brutal nature of the attack has shocked the quiet community of Newcastle, a town better known for its scenic backdrop against the Mourne Mountains than for violent crime. Local residents expressed disbelief over the incident, with one describing the use of a machete as “something you’d expect in a film, not on our streets.”

Police have yet to confirm any possible motive for the attack, nor whether the victim and suspects knew one another.

Investigators are now appealing to the public for any information that could aid the case. Officers are particularly interested in eyewitness accounts from around the Tipperary Lane and Bunkers Hill areas during the time of the assault.

A spokesperson for the PSNI said: “This was a particularly violent incident in which a man sustained significant injuries. While two men have been charged and will appear in court, we continue to investigate the full circumstances of the assault. Anyone with information is urged to come forward.”

The PSNI’s forensics team has conducted a thorough examination of the crime scene, and officers have been reviewing local CCTV footage from surrounding areas to track the movements of the suspects before and after the attack.

The victim is currently recovering from his injuries. While they are described as serious, they are not believed to be life-threatening. He remains under medical care, and police have confirmed that he has begun to provide a statement.

Court proceedings on Monday are expected to shed more light on the sequence of events and the extent of the injuries. It remains unclear at this stage whether the accused will apply for bail.

The incident comes amid wider concern in Northern Ireland about rising knife-related crimes, with police and community leaders urging tougher penalties and greater preventative measures.

Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact the Police Service of Northern Ireland or submit tips anonymously via Crimestoppers.