Man charged with attempted murder allegedly stabbed opponent during fight in west Belfast

Copy by Alan Erwin, Laganside Media

A man allegedly stabbed his opponent in the back after they had fought in west Belfast, a court heard today.

James Murray, 20, appeared at the city's Magistrates Court charged with attempting to murder the other man at Corrib Avenue.

Police revealed that the alleged victim sustained a punctured lung in the incident last Saturday.

Murray, of no fixed abode, is also accused of smashing a window on his mother's front door on the same evening.

A detective said the two men had fought during an initial encounter in the area.

"It is believed that Mr Murray then returned with a large kitchen knife and stabbed (the injured party) in the back," he told the court.

The alleged victim remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

Murray was initially interviewed last weekend before being released on police bail.

He was then detained again in connection with alleged postings on social media.

At that stage police charged him with attempted murder and criminal damage to his mother's door.

Defence solicitor Mark Austin challenged the PSNI's handling of the case against his client.

He argued that it was "procedurally unfair" to charge Murray after he had been initially questioned and released.

Following submissions Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes granted bail to the accused on strict terms.

Murray must live at an address approved by police, stay out of the area where the alleged attack occurred and have no contact with any witnesses.

Mr Holmes also ordered the defendant: "Stay off social media, it's not good for you at the moment."

Despite being granted bail, Murray will remain in custody pending a prosecution appeal against the decision.