Two in court charged with assaulting McCartney's friend

Two men will appear in court today charged with an attack on a close friend of IRA murder victim Robert McCartney.

The pair, aged 39 and 35, were arrested during police raids in Belfast’s Short Strand district.

Both men were later accused of grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of offensive weapons in connection with an assault in the area last month.

Jeff Commander, a friend of knife victim Mr McCartney, was left with serious head injuries after being beaten with iron bars and sewer rods on September 12.

The father-of-five was with his wife Sinead when a gang attacked him.

The beating came amid demands for justice over Mr McCartney’s killing by his sisters and fiancee Bridgeen Hagans.

Their campaign over the killing outside a Belfast bar in January has taken them to the White House and earned international plaudits.

One man charged with murdering Mr McCartney, 33, is expected to stand trial next year.

Up to two men suspected of the September 12 assault on his friend are due to appear at Belfast magistrates’ court later this morning.