Craigavon man charged with attempted murder

Darren Eamon Fegan (24) is accused of attacking the two-year-old girl on Sunday night. He denies the charge.

Fegan’s address was given to the court as Clonavon Avenue in Portadown, however it’s believed he is originally from Lurgan.

The child he is accused of attacking was discovered in a “lifeless” state outside her home and remains in a critical condition in hospital.

She was given CPR at the scene by police officers who had been in the area.

The court heard claims that Fegan punched her so hard he fractured her skull.

Det Insp Keith Gawley told Banbridge Magistrates Court, sitting in Newry, that he had consulted a neurology expert.

He said, “The skull was so badly fractured that it would be a blunt trauma injury.”

The court heard the toddler’s mother had told police officers that the accused had punched her daughter.

However, Fegan claimed, during eight interviews with police, that the child’s mother fell from the fifth stair while holding the girl. He claimed the child’s mother had been drinking and taking drugs all day.

The senior officer accused him of lying and changing his story.

Bail was refused and Fegan will appear in court again in four weeks.