A 22-year-old Derry man accused of a ‘one-punch attack’ which left a local footballer critically ill in hospital has written a letter to the injured man and his family wishing him a ‘speedy recovery’.
Matthew McDermott, of Cornshell Fields, appeared before Derry Magistrates Court today charged with grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of the Class A drug, ecstasy.
The alleged offences are said to have taken place on September 11.
At an earlier court appearance, CCTV footage of the incident was played showing McDermott and Niall Grace having an altercation where they were seen to ‘both throw a punch’ before falling to the ground, where Mr Grace was seriously injured.
A representative of the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) said today that McDermott and his family had written a letter to Mr Grace (pictured), who plays for Institute, and his family wishing him a speedy recovery.
However, this had been passed to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) as part of McDermott’s bail conditions were not to contact Mr Grace or his family.
Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer said that this was ‘the correct way to deal with it’.
He added that he was not going to direct the PPS to deliver the letter to the Grace family but said that they should pass it to a police officer who can liaise with the family to determine whether they wished to accept it or not.
Judge Mateer said that if it caused distress they could choose not to accept it but if they ‘were happy to receive it, it is up to them’.
The PPS said that a full file on the case would be due on December 31 but McDermott will be back in court for an update on the matter on November 3.
He was released on continuing bail.
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