PSNI DETECTIVES are treating as attempted murder an assault on a former IRA prisoner in west Belfast which has left him critically ill in hospital.
Frank McGreevy (51) was on a life-support machine in hospital last night after he was discovered by his 15-year-old son drenched in blood and badly injured in the living room of his ground floor flat in Ross Street on Saturday evening.
Police said they were following a definite line of inquiry in relation to the attack. A 20-year-old man was being questioned by detectives last night about the assault after voluntarily presenting himself to Grosvenor Road police station in west Belfast.
Mr McGreevy was attacked shortly after 6.30pm on Saturday by two men, one of whom was armed with a pick axe handle, which was recovered from the scene. Police said the man suffered dreadful injuries.
"There has been extensive blood found throughout the dwelling and signs of a sustained, serious attack. There are marks on the walls and blood on the floor and upturned furniture. You can imagine how bad it was," said PSNI Det Supt Jeff Smyth.
Police and local Sinn Féin councillor Tom Hartley appealed for anyone with information about the attack to come forward to the police.
"Those responsible for this horrific and violent attack must be brought to justice," said Mr Hartley.
He also expressed concerns about PSNI response times to crimes: "All citizens have a right to live in peace and safety and are entitled to an effective and accountable policing service. The people of the Falls Road have the same rights and entitlements."
