Donegal man attacked by gang still 'clinging to life' with 'catastrophic' injuries

The family of a man savagely beaten by a group of men in his Lifford home in January have said he is still fighting for his life in what they term as a “clear-cut case of attempted murder.”

26-year-old Charles Dooher, from Donegal, was so “brutally attacked about the head that he has lost a large portion of his skull” by, the family claims, members of a local family who have persecuted them and maintained a vendetta for more than a decade. If Mr Dooher survives, his family say, he will have suffered life-changing injuries.

The Doohers say family members were cable-tied, including Charles’ father - Charles Senior - who was also assaulted.

"We are a close, hard-working, law-abiding family with respect for the law,” a family spokesperson said via Madden and Finucane Solicitors, Belfast. “We believe that a criminal gang were engaged and brought in to attack our home with the intention, initially, of carrying out a home invasion and armed robbery. Whilst there, the gang cable-tied members of our family assaulted Charles Senior before cable-tying him also.

"However, a vicious and cowardly attempt was then made to murder young Charles in his own home. Charles was so brutally attacked about the head that he has lost a large portion of his skull. He was airlifted to the RVH (Royal Victoria Hospital) in Belfast.

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“He remains in Belfast clinging to life and the family have maintained a constant vigil at his bedside. If he survives, he will have sustained catastrophic, life-changing injuries.

"Within hours of the brutal attack on our family, the PSNI deemed the case to be one of attempted murder, a home invasion-type armed robbery, and an aggravated burglary. Charles’ skull had been smashed open and he clearly received three massive and obvious blows to the head with a heavy metal weapon.

"The masked gang were clearly caught on CCTV alighting from their vehicle, heavily armed with long metal bars, a large hammer, a wheel brace, a chainsaw and burglary tools.”

The family have criticised the role played by An Garda Siochana in not stating publicly “to the local community that what occurred in their midst was a brutal, and clear-cut case of attempted murder.”

"All of my brother’s attackers were masked and apparently forensically aware,” the spokesperson added.

The family appealed for witnesses to come forward: "We are pleading with the public, especially in the Derry and Donegal areas, to come forward with any information that they may have and give it to the authorities. They can also approach any of the family or Madden & Finucane Solicitors if they are more comfortable with initially doing that. However, the important thing is to please come forward so that we can get justice for Charles."