The staff member had been driving a Fire and Rescue Service van at 4pm on May 7 when he stopped at traffic lights at the Waveney Road-Galgorm Road junction – and was struck on the head by a brick. The brick was thrown through an open side window of the vehicle.

Mr McKay said the staff member injured had only recently started working for the Fire Service.

"This is a member of support staff and not an operational fire- fighter," he said.

"Unfortunately firefighters have become used to having occasional attacks, but it is some welcome to the Fire Service for a member of support staff.

"I feel all attacks on the Fire Service are abhorrent and a disgrace. This happened at 4pm on a sunny afternoon and the mind boggles as to why.

"After the incident the fella looked stunned. The fact is the brick struck about two inches away from his eye – and if the van had been moving he could have crashed.

"This was an easy target for these big brave thugs – a fella travelling on his own with the window down on a hot day.

"I am appealing for anyone with information about the incident to contact the police immediately."

Police investigating the incident say that there were a number of young people in the area at the time.

The culprit has been described as being in his late teens, approximately 5ft 4in, with dark, short cropped hair.