Four Co Antrim youths who allegedly attacked two men when "good natured banter" between them "soured" were yesterday freed on £1,000 bail each in the High Court in Belfast.
The court heard that one of the men, a New Zealand helicopter pilot, is still in hospital, partly paralysed from a fractured skull, three days after the attack in Castlerock.
Mr Justice Higgins granted bail to the youths, charged with grievous bodily harm, after hearing that the tourist is making a rapid recovery and his friend has since been released from hospital.
Crown Counsel claimed the men were attacked early last Saturday and hit over the head with bottles by Mr Ronald Hutchinson (20), his brother Clive (19), both of Sea View," their cousin, Mark (19), of Temple Park, and their friend, Mr Jonathan McGonigal (19), of Woodland Park, all Castlerock.