12/03/2003

Attempted murder accused appears in court

A 21-year-old man from west Belfast has appeared in Belfast Magistrates Court today charged with the attempted murder of a 54-year-old man at the weekend.

Gerard Michael Donegan, from Ross Road in the Falls Road area, was charged with the attempted murder of Maurice McCracken in the early hours of Sunday morning. Mr McCracken was asleep in bed at his south Belfast home when he was attacked by an intruder armed with a hammer.

Donegan is also charged with assaulting Mr McCracken's wife Maureen as well as causing serious injury to a man and his son living nearby.

Donegan was further charged with stealing a car and driving it dangerously and while unfit through drink or drugs.

He made no reply to the charges and was remanded in custody until April 9.

Two other men held over the incident have snce been released without charge.

(MB)

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