Man in court over serious assault in Strabane

A man has appeared in court in connection with a serious assault on another man in Strabane, County Tyrone, in the early hours of Monday morning.

Dylan McCrossan, 31, of Beechmount Village, Strabane, is charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, as well as having cocaine and the Class C drug Pregabalin on the same date.

He made no reply when the charges were put to him at Strabane Magistrates' Court on Thursday and he was remanded in custody until 6 March.

The victim sustained significant injuries and remains in a critical condition in intensive care in the Royal Victoria hospital in Belfast.

The case is being dealt with by the major investigation team of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

The charges relate to an incident at a house in Beechmount Village in the early hours of Monday morning.

Police said at the time that the victim - who is believed to be in his early 30s - sustained what they described as "significant injuries" after a serious assault.

He was initially treated at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry before being transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

Dylan McCrossan appeared via videolink and confirmed his identity and the fact that he understood the charges.

A detective inspector said she believed she could connect him to the offences.

There was no application for bail.

For the past few days, the police have maintained a presence at the scene.

Forensic teams carried out an extensive follow-up operation and more resources were drafted in on Wednesday to help with that investigation.