Londonderry: Journalist suffers facial injuries in street attack

Aodhán Roberts was assaulted in the Foyle street area of Derry city centre at about 02:00 GMT on 5 November

A Belfast Telegraph journalist has said he has been left traumatised after sustaining facial injuries in an attack in Londonderry.

Aodhán Roberts was assaulted in the Foyle street area of Derry city centre at about 02:00 GMT on 5 November.

Mr Roberts told the BBC's The North West Today programme that he does not know the motive behind the attack.

The journalist said that he has been left both physically injured and scarred mentally by the incident.

"As I was standing in Foyle Street, I noticed a man kind of on the left of me appearing as if he wanted to speak with me," Mr Robert said.

"The next thing I know, according to what my friends described to me, he either hit me with his fist or hit me with an object.

"I actually don't remember ever being hit but a few seconds after I did snap back into what was going on."

Aodhán Roberts says he is unsure whether the damage to his right eight eye is temporary or permanent

Mr Roberts said he lost his balance soon afterwards and was advised to seek medical attention.

He said he then spent seven hours in hospital receiving treatment for his injuries.

'Eyes were covered in blood'

"A few hours after [the incident] my eyes were covered in blood and my face was swollen," he added.

"I was experiencing really, really bad headaches. I had a nosebleed at one point and I still can't see properly out of my right eye."

Mr Roberts said he is not sure if the damage to his eye is permanent or temporary and that he has been referred to an optician for further assessment.

He also said the attack has taken a toll on his mental health.

"I've not been able to sleep very well and I've been having panic attacks," Mr Roberts said.

"I've had a great deal of anxiety and I'm really paranoid all around."

He said he is not sure whether he was targeted because of his work or if it was a random attack but said that there is no justification for such violence.

Police said the attacker fled the scene after the assault and have appealed for witnesses or anyone who may have footage to come forward.

They described it as a nasty assault "which has left the victim not just physically injured, but also distressed".