"Touch and go” whether a woman allegedly stabbed by her estranged husband will survive, court told

By Q Radio News

It’s “touch and go” whether a woman allegedly stabbed by her estranged husband will survive, a court heard today.

Newry Magistrates Court also heard that the victim has undergone surgery “for a number of stab wounds” and she remains in a “critical condition” in hospital.”

“The knife has not been recovered but the sheath was and it has a blade of significant width,” said the PPS lawyer adding that “it’s touch and go.”

Appearing at court via videolink from police custody was 38-year-old Peter McCartney who spoke only to confirm his date of birth and that he understood the charge. 

McCartney, from Dominic Street in Newry, was accused of attempting to murder his estranged wife on 7 November this year. 

Giving evidence to the court a detective constable said he believed he could connect McCartney to the offence while defence solicitor Gerard Trainor said he was not applying for bail. 

Appealing for information at the time, a police spokesperson said in a statement that the stabbing incident occurred at a house in Liska Manor, Newry at around 5.30pm on Saturday evening. 

“Police and paramedics attended the scene and the woman was removed to hospital for treatment to her injuries which have been described as serious,” the statement said, adding that the suspect was arrested during a search of the nearby area. 

In court today, the prosecuting lawyer asked for McCartney to be remanded into custody for four weeks which was granted by District Judge Eamon King who adjourned the case to 7 December.