Stab accused had mental health issues court told

Sean Conway, 22, of The Brambles appeared at Derry Magistrates Court on Monday accused of attempted murder and possessing two kitchen knives on Saturday morning in the Rainey Street area of the town.

A police officer told District Judge Barney McElholm that Conway is accused of stabbing the boy, whom he did not know, four times in an unprovoked attack.

His injuries included a puncture to his right lung and lacerations to his liver.

The police witness said Conway was chased and caught by the youth’s girlfriend, who was assisted by four men who jumped from a car and took the knives off the defendant and detained him until officers arrived.

After his arrest the defendant gave a “no comment” interview.

The officer said the wounded teenager was still being treated in Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital for serious issues.

He said CCTV footage showed him being stabbed once in the right side of the chest, once on the left forearm, once on his right forearm and once to the left side of his abdomen.

Bail was refused and the defendant was remanded in custody until May 15 to appear before Magherafelt Magistrates Court.

The judge told Derry Magistrates Court that having read medical reports in relation to Conway’s mental health, he would be advising prison staff that Conway should be considered a risk to himself.