20 die after 'one punch' attacks

Published Monday, 09 July 2012

Twenty people have died in 'one punch' attacks - which are often fuelled by alcohol - in Northern Ireland since 2004, police have said.

The PSNI is using Facebook to make young men realise the danger of the attacks. (© UTV)

The PSNI said the fatal assaults have a "devastating impact" on the victims and their families, as the force re-launches a Facebook campaign to raise awareness.

Detective Chief Inspector Karen Baxter said: "The majority of these incidents are fuelled by alcohol and can have a devastating impact on the victim and their family.

"The offender will likely face a murder or manslaughter charge and have a criminal record for the rest of their life.

"This type of conviction also imposes restrictions on their ability to travel," she added.

The campaign is aimed at 18-25-year-old men and highlights the risks of getting involved in an argument or fight which could lead to serious injury or death.

DCI Baxter explained, "Raising awareness of One Punch is timely as most students and young people are now off for Summer Break, it is a busy time socially for people - our message is to enjoy their night out, but more importantly - to stay safe."

Comments

4 Comments

big c in falls wrote (316 days ago):

to t mcclean if i drive fast and kill someone i can hardly blame the motor industry for making fast cars, same here with drink, people are responsible for their own actions. little children blame other people for what they do not adults

Colin in Bangor wrote (316 days ago):

The sooner it is brought in that you must pay for treatment for any alcohol based injuries the better. This would maybe make them all think twice if they get into a fight and end up needing stitches. £20 a stitch would soon make them think twice and their night out would be a damn expensive one.

norman.d in bangor wrote (316 days ago):

drink and drugs leads to violence every week in the news people getting stabbed and attacked coming out of clubs and at music venues and there is no answer on how to stop it people are becoming more violent towards each other takes very little to start a fight

T McClean in Belfast wrote (316 days ago):

The total misuse of alcohol driven by supermarkets offering low prices and off licences and pubs that will sell huge amounts to anyone drunk or not for the asking. Profits at any price then.Government remains happy to rake in the taxes off the back of people's misery while sales promotions push the lie to the young in particular that you can't enjoy yourself without drink. Naturally the mighty drinks industry takes absolutely no responsibility for consumer misuse and 'freedoms' which sometimes leads to them battering someone while under the influence.

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20 die after 'one punch' attacks

Twenty people have died in 'one punch' attacks - which are often fuelled by alcohol - in Northern Ireland since 2004, police have said.