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Man fights for life after attack Taxi row may have led to attack
(about 4 hours later)
The grandparents of a man left critically ill after an attack in Belfast have told of their shock at the extent of his injuries. A man critically injured in a weekend attack in Belfast may have been involved in a row over a taxi.
Justin Kirkpatrick, 23, from Ahoghill, suffered serious head injuries in the attack near Dunbar Link area on Sunday. Justin Kirkpatrick, 23, from Ahoghill, suffered serious head injuries after being beaten up near Dunbar Link early on Sunday.
He is being treated in Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital.He is being treated in Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital.
His grandparents, Margaret and Tommy McDowell, said it was a very difficult time. "He is just fighting for his life at the moment", said his grandmother.His grandparents, Margaret and Tommy McDowell, said it was a very difficult time. "He is just fighting for his life at the moment", said his grandmother.
Justin, whose wife is pregnant, was attacked after a night out with friends. His grandparents had assumed he would be safe in Belfast. Justin, whose wife, Melissa, is four months pregnant, was attacked after a night out with friends, before one of them headed off to university in England.
It is understood that after leaving a nightclub, there was a dispute with another group over who had secured the taxi first.
The young man was assaulted as he got into the taxi.
His grandparents said they had assumed he would be safe in Belfast.
Mrs McDowell said: "It was an awful shock. I just burst out crying. I was so annoyed."Mrs McDowell said: "It was an awful shock. I just burst out crying. I was so annoyed."
Mr McDowell said: "We thought they were safe, maybe at a house party, thought they would have been safer walking around the streets locally. The scene of the assault near Dunbar LinkMr McDowell said: "We thought they were safe, maybe at a house party, thought they would have been safer walking around the streets locally."
"I didn't realise it was as bad as it was. I didn't know he wouldn't be able to speak to us. The doctors have said that they have done everything they can, now it's just a matter of waiting.
"I didn't realise it was as bad as it was. I didn't know he wouldn't be able to speak to us," said his grandfather.
"He never spoke to anybody since it happened. He is still unconscious.""He never spoke to anybody since it happened. He is still unconscious."
Police are questioning three men in connection with the attack. They have also appealed to witnesses to come forward. Police are questioning four men in connection with the attack. They have also appealed to witnesses to come forward.