Northern Ireland

Police hunt continues for assailant of Caolan Mooney as man (37) appears in court

Caolan Mooney in action during the McKenna Cup match between Fermanagh and Down just hours before the assault. Picture by Philip Walsh
Caolan Mooney in action during the McKenna Cup match between Fermanagh and Down just hours before the assault. Picture by Philip Walsh Caolan Mooney in action during the McKenna Cup match between Fermanagh and Down just hours before the assault. Picture by Philip Walsh

POLICE are still hunting for the man whose attack left Down senior footballer Caolan Mooney hospitalised, after a 37-year-old appeared in court accused of breaking his brother's nose.

Mr Mooney and his brother Patrick were assaulted close to the Canal Court Hotel in Newry in the early hours of Monday.

Hours earlier the 26-year-old had played for Down in the county's McKenna Cup win over Fermanagh.

Last night a Belfast health trust spokeswoman said he remains in a "stable" condition at the Royal Victoria Hospital where he was taken following fears he had suffered a bleed on his brain.

Lee Daniel McKay appeared at Armagh magistrates court yesterday charged with affray and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to the assault on his 32-year-old brother.

The court heard that Mr McKay, who lives in Australia but has an address at Drumalane Park in Newry, was captured on CCTV footage hitting Patrick Mooney.

A mobile police patrol arrived on the scene of the assault in Merchant's Quay at around 2.30am.

The footage allegedly showed Mr McKay had not delivered the blow which left Caolan Mooney unconscious but that he had repeatedly hit Patrick Mooney.

The elder brother, who lives in San Francisco, had returned from the US to spend Christmas in Newry, with Caolan Mooney posting a picture on social media to mark a family reunion "for the first time in 9.5 years".

The court was told there is "an outstanding suspect" in the case.

Mr McKay was granted bail, subject to a curfew and on the basis that he surrenders his passport, to appear in court again next month.

Caolan Mooney moved to Australia in 2011 to play Australian Rules football for Melbourne side Collingwood.

He returned to play with Down and his club Rostrevor in 2014 and now works as a personal trainer.

Rostrevor councillor Jarlath Tinnelly wished the Mr Mooney "a speedy recovery".

"As a criminal investigation is underway it would be unwise to make public comment about the circumstances, suffice to say his family can rest assured that the thoughts and prayers of every genuine Gael in Ireland are with the Mooney family," he said.

Down manager Paddy Tally said the team was "shocked and saddened" by what happened and "hope and pray that he makes a full recovery".

"Our thoughts are with his fiancée and his entire family at this time."

Detectives have appealed to anyone who witnessed the assault to contact officers at Ardmore on the non-emergency number 101.