LET HIM LIVE; Brother's plea as victim of loyalist mob fights for life.
THIS is Damien Fleming, the victim of a loyalist mob who broke every bone in his face as they battered him with fists, feet and a baseball bat.Mr Fleming is being treated in the intensive care unit of Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital where he has been kept sedated since the assault on Sunday.
His friend Kevin McDaid died from a heart attack as he was beaten by the same gang in Coleraine, Co Derry.
Mr Fleming's brother Paul, who revealed his other brother Paddy had died in a stabbing some years ago, told the Daily Mirror: "I don't care what state he comes out of this in, as long as he comes out. We just don't know if he'll make it.
"It's really hard because I don't really understand what the hospital is able to do for Damien but they've said they're doing everything they can. "I've seen him a couple of times a day but he hasn't a clue I'm there. I was very shocked when I saw him in the hospital at first because his head was so swollen. "It's reduced a bit now but he's still a mess. "I saw him immediately after he was beaten up and he looked bad but I didn't think it would get as bad as this. "The surgeons have told us he has a 50 per cent chance of coming out of this but they've no idea what sort of brain injuries FROM PAGE ONE he might have. It's sick that anyone would do this to another human being." As medical staff continued to nurse Mr Fleming, fans of the Pride of the Bann Flute Band posted sick messages on its website yesterday. One read: "Well done lads!! Respect what happened on Sunday but maintain your faith. Proper order!!" The band, whose parade is due to take place tonight, shortened the route to prevent members marching across the Bann Bridge close to the site of Kevin McDaid's murder.
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BRUTALITY Victim Damien Fleming in intensive care
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| Title Annotation: | Features |
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| Publication: | The Mirror (London, England) |
| Date: | May 29, 2009 |
| Words: | 337 |
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