Northern Ireland

Two refused bail following Co Derry shooting

Police at the scene of a shooting on Main Street in Garvagh, Co Derry, early on Sunday. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Police at the scene of a shooting on Main Street in Garvagh, Co Derry, early on Sunday. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Police at the scene of a shooting on Main Street in Garvagh, Co Derry, early on Sunday. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

TWO men in their twenties have been refused bail after they appeared in court following a shooting in Co Derry.

A 46-year-old man was shot in the leg in the village of Garvagh early on Sunday.

Christopher Torrens Crawford (26), of Brone Park, Garvagh, and Philip Hara (28), from Agivey Court, Garvagh, appeared before Coleraine Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Mr Crawford faces charges including attempted murder, possession of a shotgun, possession of ammunition with intent, carrying a firearm in a public place and discharging a firearm in a public place.

Mr Hara is charged with assisting an offender after he allegedly washed Mr Crawford's clothes and trainers following the shooting and gave him a change of clothes. He denies the charge.

A defence lawyer claimed Mr Crawford had a shotgun to "scare" the victim, not to kill him.

A PSNI detective told the court the victim believed both men were linked to the UDA in Garvagh - a claim Mr Crawford denies.

The court was told there was no sectarian element in this case.

It heard the shooting happened following a fight between Mr Hara and the victim's son on Garvagh's Main Street after 2am on Sunday.

Mr Crawford allegedly went to a house, took a shotgun and attacked the 46-year-old.

Both accused were refused bail.

They will appear in court again via video link next month.