THE 32-year-old barman accused of murdering boxer Eamonn Magee jnr was treated in hospital yesterday after he was attacked in jail.
Orhan Koca, a father-of-three, was treated for a broken cheekbone and needed stitches above his right eye following the attack in Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim.
Mr Koca's solicitor Eamon O'Connor said that his client was attacked after leaving his cell for a family visit.
"He was going from the cell to the visiting area. Two other prisoners were speaking with him. He turned around and then he was hit in his face," Mr O'Connor tpld BBC Radio Ulster.
The lawyer said that as well as the fracture and stitches, Mr Koca suffered "possible nerve damage" with a loss of feeling around his mouth.
He was then brought to hospital for a number of hours, before being returned to Maghaberry Prison.
The solicitor said Mr Koca has requested that the prison authorities move him to an area where he could be held in "complete segregation" for his own safety.
News of the attack emerged shortly after the funeral of Eamonn Magee jnr, which took place at St Joseph's Church, Hannahstown, Co Antrim, yesterday.
Koca was charged with murdering Mr Magee Jnr earlier this week. He was remanded in custody after he appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The Turkish man denies murdering the 22-year-old, who was stabbed to death at Summerhill Park in Twinbrook, west Belfast, as he went to check on a pizza delivery in the early hours of last Saturday morning.
He is due to appear before Lisburn Magistrates Court via videolink on June 29.
