A man who was seriously injured in an assault in Strabane, County Tyrone, has died, his family have said.
Stephen Holmes was in a critical condition in hospital following the attack at a house in Beechmount Village in the early hours of Monday.
He was initially taken to Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry for his injuries before being transferred to intensive care in Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital, but died on Friday night.
His sister Zara described her brother as an “easy going, gentle soul” who was well liked.
Speaking to BBC News NI, she said the father-of-two was the “baby of the house and wanted nothing for nothing”.
“He was everybody’s friend and loved his family,” she added.
There has been a police presence at the house in Beechmount Village in Strabane since the attack on Monday [BBC]
A 31-year-old man appeared in court on Thursday on a number of charges related to the assault, including causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Dylan McCrossan, of Beechmount Village, appeared via video-link before Strabane Magistrates’ Court where he confirmed his identity.
He also confirmed that he understood the charges against him, including possessing cocaine and the Class C drug Pregabalin.
He was remanded into custody.
