We provide a service throughout the province without fear or favour and it really has to stop

Unison spokesman Denis Elliott

"The female paramedic caught the brick in the face and glass then split across and hit the driver and he got glass in his eye," said Denis Elliott.

"They had to go to the Mater Hospital for treatment.

"All the staff are shocked that this could happen. We provide a service throughout the province without fear or favour and it really has to stop - this is going too far," Mr Elliott said.

Attacks increase

A few months ago, Northern Ireland's ambulance and health service unions renewed pleas for an end to the growing number of assaults and threats made to their staff.

Over the last 12 months the number of attacks on staff has doubled.

Paramedics have been threatened with knives when responding to emergency 999 calls.

The area where Saturday's attack happened has been scarred by recent and frequent clashes between rival Protestant and Catholic gangs.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident.