Partner of man left for dead in Lifford attack prays for 'some sort of miracle'

The distraught partner of a Lifford man left in a fight for his life after a savage attack at his home has pleaded for information.

Charles Dooher remains in intensive care at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast after a masked gang stormed his home at Conneyburrow Road, last Monday morning.

The 26-year-year was brutally beaten and left for dead by the assailants, who left him with serious injuries, including a shattered skull.

An appeal for information by Charlotte Gallen, the partner of Mr Dooher, comes as two men arrested in connection with the incident were bailed.

The pair were arrested in Derry on Tuesday night and questioned over charges of attempted murder, aggravated burglary and false imprisonment but, After being quizzed by detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Serious Crime Branch, they were “bailed pending further enquiries”.

“I just want to put out an appeal for information regarding the attempted murder of my partner Charles Dooher who was brutally attacked in his Lifford home on the morning of the 20th of January by five masked men who violently beat him, shattering his skull and have left him fighting for his life,” Ms Gallen said on social media.

“This time last year we were living in Australia sitting by the beach and today I sit by his bed side in intensive care praying for some sort of miracle to have the love of my life back with us in full health.

“Charlie has never failed to take my worries away and always fills me with a sense of peace and serenity with his kindness and big heart .

“If he could see me now he would be telling me to take a deep breath and have hope.

“His presence brought safety and I wish I could have given him that same protection from some of the evil people in this world.”

At Derry Magistrates Court on Thursday morning, Judge Barney McElholm granted an application for a 36-hour extension to the detention of the two men who were lifted by the police on Tuesday night.

A major cross-border manhunt was launched on Monday as authorities on both sides of the border sought information on the masked gang.

Annmarie Dooher, the victim’s mother, issued a plea for prayers for her son in the aftermath of the attack.

“I am asking for prayers for my beautiful, brave son,” Ms Dooher wrote on social media.

“My poor son is fighting for his life and needs your prayers. Please pray for my son please pray for his recovery.”

Ms Dooher said the gang, armed with what she said were ‘steel batons’, broke into her home after 10am and left her son “laying for dead”.

She said: “I sit here desperate with my son’s life in God’s hands. I am asking you to join your hands together for my son and pray for his recovery. Pray for his healing. Pray for my son my beautiful son my wonderful son.”

Mr Dooher underwent emergency surgery after being airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

His father, Charles Dooher senior, who is in his 60s, also received injuries in the attack, at their family home on the N15 road, and received treatment in Letterkenny University Hospital.

Detectives on both sides of the border pooled resources and officers swopped to lift two men in Derry at around midnight on Tuesday. 

A Detective Sergeant from the PSNI told Judge McElholm on Thursday that there were forensics, CCTV and crime scene evidence and that it was a joint investigation involving both the PSNI and the Gardai.

Gardaí issued an appeal for any witnesses to the incident or anyone with any information to come forward.

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A spokesperson said: “Any persons who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) from Coneyburrow Road, Lifford, between 10am and 11am, are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station on 074 9167100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”