Man in court over Fleming attack

Mr Fleming was attacked after trouble flared in the Heights area of Coleraine

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 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.

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.

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.