Attack on McCartney friend denied

A third man charged over an attack on a friend of east Belfast murder victim Robert McCartney has been granted bail.

Samuel Edward Caskey, 43, from Seaforde Court in the Short Strand area, denied causing grevious bodily harm to Jeff Commander on 12 September.

He also denied possessing an offensive weapon. The High Court heard that Mr Commander was attacked by seven men using sewer rods and iron bars.

Mr Caskey's two co-accused have already been released on bail.

The accused was released on his own bail of £1,000 and two sureties of £900.

Mr Justice Hart imposed a curfew between 2130 GMT and 0800 GMT and ordered Mr Caskey not to cross the River Lagan into the County Down side.

Robert McCartney, who was 33 and from the Short Strand, was stabbed to death in the street outside a bar in Belfast city centre in January.