Belfast stabbing victim '˜named alleged attacker as he lay bleeding'

A man fighting for his life after being stabbed in west Belfast named one of his alleged attackers as he lay bleeding on the ground, a court heard on Tuesday.

Police also claimed Gareth Donnan followed the 51-year-old victim armed with a blood-stained hammer after injuries were inflicted at the weekend.

Donnan, 19, denies causing grievous bodily harm at a house on Vere Foster Walk described by a defence lawyer as a scene of “mayhem”.

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He is the second teenager to be charged in connection with the attack early on Saturday morning that has left the victim critically ill in hospital.

A detective revealed the man sustained a punctured liver and remains in a medically-induced coma after undergoing surgery three times.

He was said to have walked to his daughter’s home following the stabbing, with emergency services contacted at that stage.

Donnan, of Moyard Parade in Belfast, is also accused of possessing an offensive weapon, namely a pair scissors and a hammer, and burglary with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm.

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Another 19-year-old, Aidan Muir of Springhill Grove in the city, was granted bail on Monday on the same three charges.

As Donnan appeared before Belfast Magistrates’ Court a detective constable opposed his bid to be released from custody.

She said: “The injured party is known to the defendant, he named him as he lay bleeding on the ground.”

District Judge Fiona Bagnall heard the man claimed those involved were “Garzo and his mate” - an alleged reference to Donnan’s nickname.

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According to the detective, Donnan followed the wounded man to his daughter’s house and went in carrying a blood-stained hammer.

She claimed: “He told the injured party as he lay on the ground ‘You deserve it, I hope you die’.”

Outlining an alleged treat, the detective added: “He (Donnan) stated... ‘He’s going to be in more pain for talking like that’.”

The court was told the accused lives in the same area as the injured man and frequented his home for drinking sessions.

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Questioned by defence solicitor Mark Austin, the detective confirmed Donnan went to police voluntarily following an alert that he was wanted.

The lawyer stressed that his client denies carrying out the attack.

He also argued that both Donnan and Muir were charged on the basis of a joint enterprise.

Mr Austin added: “It was mayhem, people don’t seem to know what happened.”

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But Judge Bagnall refused bail to Donnan - who is also accused of criminal damage to a police CCTV camera - due to the risks of re-offending or interfering with witnesses.

She remanded him in custody to appear again by video-link on May 17.

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