Derry Gang Beating Victim 'Critical'

A man remains critically ill after he was beaten by a gang of at least eight masked men in a paramilitary-style attack.

Gary Jarvis and his partner Amanda Coyle were at home just before midnight on Tuesday when the gang burst in and attacked him with baseball bats.

The 27-year-old man suffered two broken legs and fractures to his skull and face and is currently in a critical condition at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

He is fighting for his life in hospital after the viscous assault in his Gobnascale home.

The attack has been branded brutal by local politicians.

Sinn Féin Councillor for the area, Lynn Fleming, said: "This attack has left the community stunned and the community do not want these type of attacks perpetrated in their name.

"These types of attacks are becoming more frequent not only in Derry but right across Ireland as the two recent deaths in West Belfast highlighted.

"I am asking anyone who has information on this attack to bring it forward to the PSNI so that these people can be brought to justice.

"I also am hoping that the young man makes a full and speedy recovery from his injuries."

Ms Coyle, who was at home with the couple's nine-year-old daughter when the gang burst in, said it was the most terrifying experience of her life: "I was locked in the bathroom and I couldn't get out. I could hear him squealing but I couldn't help him," she said.

"And then he got out of the bedroom and I tried to go and help him, but I got pushed back in.

"Then after I seen them going, I went round to help him, but at that stage he was already knocked out."

The parish priest, Father Michael McGaughey, said he was shocked by the level of violence used against Mr Jarvis.

"We have to say that in Christian society there is no room for this sort of attack any more.

"We pray for the speedy recovery of the young man and we ask people just to support together and work together to overcome such vicious attacks in our society," he said.

(BMcC)