Man in court after ‘serious incident’

A MAN has appeared in court accused of causing grievous bodily harm, with intent, to another male in Limavady earlier this month.

Patrick James McDonald, of Rossnagalliagh Park, Londonderry, appeared by video link from custody before Coleraine Magistrates Court on Monday, 10 February.

The 34-year-old faced a charge of unlawfully and maliciously causing grievous bodily harm, with intent, on 1 February 2025.

He is also charged with stealing an iPhone and a set of keys valued at around £1,200 from the same alleged victim as well as driving while disqualified, without a licence and without insurance at Keady Way, Limavady, on the same date.

The defendant spoke only to confirm he understood the charges and was connected to them by a police constable. There was no application for bail.

Outlining the alleged facts, the constable told the court that the injured party had been approached in Irish Green Street at around 3am by a male who had pulled up in a black Peugeot, got out of the vehicle and punched him.

The officer added that the injured party had “fallen to the ground” and been assaulted further.

Initially he felt okay, the court was also told, but “through the week the pain in his stomach got worse and worse.

“On Thursday (6 February) he went to A&E at Causeway Hospital and was admitted to the ICU where he is currently at the moment,” the constable said.

“He has been getting help with his kidney function and is being ventilated in the last 48 hours. The doctor attending him told us he has reduced kidney function due to trauma and other internal injuries.”

Deputy District Judge Austin Kennedy said: “It is obviously a very serious incident” and remanded the defendant in custody until 5 March.

Following the incident, a PSNI spokesperson said: “We would appeal to anyone with any information, or who may have been in the area to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference number 653 01/02/25.

“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have dash cam footage in the vicinity of Irish Green Street between 2 and 3am on Saturday morning (1 February).

"Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/ .”