Kyle Hartley will appear in court after attack on Cork man

The British soldier who was charged in connection with the assault of Cork man Stephen Donegan in Liverpool is due to appear before Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, March 23rd.

Kyle Harley (19) is accused of assaulting 24-year-old Stephen Donegan in Concert Square, Liverpool city centre, in the early hours of Saturday morning, March 7th.

Mr Donegan, who is from Shanballymore near Doneraile in north Cork is in a “critical but stable condition” at Walton neurological hospital after suffering serious head injuries, according to Merseyside Police.

Hartley, who is from Tranmere, Merseyside, was charged on Monday with causing grievous bodily harm and was released on conditional bail. He must report to the police, and reside at either the address in Tranmere or at his army barracks in Salisbury.

Mr Donegan was with a stag party visiting the city for the weekend and was due to attend Sunday's FA Cup match between Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers at Anfield.

He was discovered unconscious in an alleyway between Fleet St and Seel St near The Walkabout bar.

Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 2.20am on Saturday.

Mr Donegan was taken to Fazakerley hospital before being moved to Walton. His parents Connie and Catherine and his sister Sinead have travelled from Ireland to be at his bedside, where remains in a medically induced coma.