A 22-YEAR-OLD man has been remanded in custody accused of an attack which left an Irish League footballer in a critical condition.
Matthew McDermott, of Cornshell Fields in Derry, is charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent on Niall Grace shortly after midnight on Sunday.
Derry Magistrate's Court heard on Monday that the Institute FC player was in an induced coma and being treated for swelling on the brain in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
A police officer told how officers were called by CCTV operators to a report of two men involved in an incident at Waterloo Street in Derry.
Mr Grace was conscious when police arrived and had a cut to his head and was bleeding from the nose. McDermott was arrested a short distance away.
The officer told the court McDermott was aggressive and police believed he was "looking for a fight".
Opposing bail, he added that police fear he will commit further offences or interfere with witnesses and there are also concerns about his safety due to the “public reaction to this incident”.
In response to questions from defence barrister Nicola Coulter, he confirmed that the two men did not know each other.
The officer also said the CCTV showed both men coming towards each other and appearing to throw a punch each, after which both fell to the ground.
The court heard the injuries appeared to have been caused by the fall rather than the punch.
Ms Coulter said McDermott had a clear record and was "very emotional" when he discovered Mr Grace's condition.
She said it was "a devastating incident for all concerned" and her client could not believe he had ended up where he was.
McDermott is also accused of possessing ecstasy.
Ms Coulter said he had been drinking but had been handed the drugs and there was no suggestion he was under the influence of them at the time.
She said that it appeared there had been an incident inside the bar involving Mr Grace and the defendant's brother who had been grabbed by the throat.
The defendant and his brother were asked to leave the bar and then "something occurred outside".
The barrister said it was a "one punch incident" and her client was unaware at the time of the seriousness of the injuries.
Deputy District Judge Peter King said the case was at an early stage and there were concerns for McDermott's safety and remanded him in custody to appear again on September 22.
