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Man in court over Fleming attack | Man in court over Fleming attack |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A man has been remanded in custody charged with the attempted murder of Coleraine man Damian Fleming. | A man has been remanded in custody charged with the attempted murder of Coleraine man Damian Fleming. |
A detective told Coleraine Magistrates Court that Philip Kane, 34, of Brook Street in the town, had provided an alibi, which was to be investigated. | |
Mr Fleming was attacked a short distance from where his friend Kevin McDaid was beaten to death by a loyalist mob on Sunday, 24 May. | |
Mr Kane is due to appear in court from prison via video link on June 8. | Mr Kane is due to appear in court from prison via video link on June 8. |
Mr Fleming remains in a critical condition in hospital. Nine other men have been charged in connection with the attacks. | Mr Fleming remains in a critical condition in hospital. Nine other men have been charged in connection with the attacks. |
During a cross-examination by Mr Kane's solicitor, the detective confirmed the only evidence so far against the accused was one witness - and she had told police she had been drinking that night. | |
But he said a large number of witness statements had been taken and police were currently going through them. | |
Police dressed in riot gear surrounded the dock for the hearing and supporters of the accused were kept outside as the case was heard. | |
Mr Kane spoke only to confirm his name and age and that he understood the charge. | |
Trouble flared in Coleraine after Rangers won the Scottish Premier League over rivals Celtic. | Trouble flared in Coleraine after Rangers won the Scottish Premier League over rivals Celtic. |
Support for the two Glasgow football teams, known as the Old Firm, has traditionally divided along religious lines in Northern Ireland. | Support for the two Glasgow football teams, known as the Old Firm, has traditionally divided along religious lines in Northern Ireland. |
Most Rangers supporters are Protestants while Celtic fans are predominantly Catholic, and the rivalry between the teams has often been mirrored in sectarian violence following big games. | Most Rangers supporters are Protestants while Celtic fans are predominantly Catholic, and the rivalry between the teams has often been mirrored in sectarian violence following big games. |
A 40-strong loyalist mob entered the mainly Catholic Heights estate in an apparent attempt to remove Irish tricolours and subsequently attacked Mr Fleming and Mr McDaid. | A 40-strong loyalist mob entered the mainly Catholic Heights estate in an apparent attempt to remove Irish tricolours and subsequently attacked Mr Fleming and Mr McDaid. |