A CO TYRONE man charged with assaulting loyalist campaigner Willie Frazer says he feels lucky to be alive after falling down a courtroom staircase.
Frank McGirr (60) was taken to hospital after being knocked unconscious when he slipped and fell down a flight of stairs during a court appearance on Tuesday.
There was an audible gasp in the courtroom as a loud crash was heard and several court officials ran to his assistance, shouting "call an ambulance".
Mr McGirr, from outside Coalisland, yesterday told how he blacked out after tumbling to the bottom of the staircase at Armagh Magistrates Court.
The defendant, who uses a walking stick, fell while descending a staircase from the dock to the cells area to complete paperwork.
He lay motionless on his back as he received treatment from paramedics and was later taken to Craigavon hospital.
"The steps were very narrow. I must have missed the fourth or fifth step with the walking stick and I went over," he said.
"I was out and then I came round again and people were with me. It was a shock, the whole thing."
Mr McGirr thanked emergency crews and court staff for their assistance following his fall.
"Everybody who tended to me, the ambulance men and nurses and doctors, I can't thank them enough. And all the staff in the courthouse were very good to me as well," he said.
"I'm lucky to be alive. It was nobody's fault, it was just one of those things and I don't hold anybody responsible."
Mr McGirr, of Shanliss Road, Stewartstown, is charged with assault and a threat to kill Mr Frazer.
The loyalist was allegedly attacked on Sunday June 28 outside his home in the Tandragee Road area of Markethill, Co Armagh.
Mr McGirr leaned heavily on a walking stick as he made his way to the courtroom dock.
The 60-year-old was released on continuing bail and District Judge Paul Copeland adjourned the case until next month.
He began to descend a staircase from the dock to the cells area to complete paperwork on his bail conditions.
The district judge told the defendant's solicitor Conal McGarrity that his client could take another route if he wished.
But when the defendant was just out of sight of the main courtroom, he slipped and fell to the bottom of the stairs.
Mr McGirr said he has a "virus on the brain" that affects his mobility.
He said he sustained cuts and bruises in the fall but was able to leave hospital after several hours.
"I'm just sore but I'm all right. I want to thank the court staff and everybody involved, and the judge and all. Everybody had my wellbeing in mind," he said.
Mr Frazer (55) sat at the back of the courtroom during the proceedings.
