FIVE members of Newry Pride committee were "savagely beaten" in a homophobic attack at the weekend, the gay rights group has said.

In a statement on its Facebook page, it said the attack happened several hours after the city's Pride parade on Saturday.

Politicians including Sinn Féin MLA Megan Fearon and Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw condemned the attack.

Police said they are "aware of an altercation in the vicinity of the Mall in Newry" at around 2.38am on Sunday and are investigating.

A police spokesman said two men sustained cuts to their faces.

"We take all reports seriously," he said. "Where complaints are made to police they will be fully and appropriately dealt with."