Hi °C | Lo °C The boyfriend of a teenage girl fighting for her life after falling from Belfast's Cave Hill can be released from custody to go to her hospital bedside, a High Court judge has ruled.
Peter McCormack (18) is being held at Hydebank Young Offenders Centre accused of stealing up to 20 football shirts from a sports store.
Lawyers for McCormack, of Pinkertown Walk, Belfast, sought compassionate bail to allow him to visit Anne-Marie Curran.
The 17-year-old is critically ill after suffering serious head injuries in a 20 metre plunge from the Napoleon's Nose cliff face while camping with friends.
Anne-Marie, who is from the north of the city, was rescued early on Sunday morning in a operation involving the ambulance and fire services, police and paramedics.
She was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where she is being treated in the intensive care unit.
Granting McCormack permission to visit her today, Mr Justice Deeny ruled that he must remain in his father's company throughout the five-hour release period.
The judge added: “The applicant is released solely to proceed directly to the Royal Victoria Hospital to visit this young lady. He is to return directly from the RVH to Hydebank Young Offenders Centre following the visit.”
