A pensioner who was left in a critical condition following a violent assault in Antrim at the weekend has passed away as police confirmed his identity.
Tony Miskimmon (74) was attacked in the Station Road area of the town on Saturday, with it said the man only had a “1% chance of survival” earlier in the week.
A 21-year-old man was charged and appeared before Coleraine Magistrates on Monday 4th November.
Police said all charges, including any additional charges, will be reviewed by the PPS in due course.
On Monday Marcus Fleming from Cedarmount in Antrim appeared in court charged with causing grievous bodily harm and also charged with causing criminal damage and one charge of attempted criminal damage to a police cell and vehicle on the same date.
Speaking on BBC NI’s Nolan Show before life support was withdrawn from Mr Miskimmon, his daughter Lani who lives in Australia told the programme her father was a “big character” who loved his grandchildren, daughters and dogs.
“[The doctor] said he is seriously ill and he said to me on the phone there is a 1% survival rate. He said to me [my father] has got severe head injuries, bleed on the brain, fractured skull, fractured facial bones.
“I just said: ‘Is my dad going to make it?’
“[The doctor] said if he does come out of this he is not going to have any quality of life. But if there is any quality of life it is going to be 1%.
“I had to break the news to my sister that my dad was basically not going to make it. My dad is a big giant of a man. I remember coming to Northern Ireland when I was a child and walking through turnstiles when the Troubles were happening. My dad is massive. Everyone knew big Tony and I felt safe. I have never, ever not felt safe.
“For someone to turn around to me and say he is not going to make it, never in a million years would I have thought I would have that call. I really thought it was a joke.”
Local Sinn Fein councillor Lucille O’Hagan paid tribute to Mr Miskimmon writing on social media: “It’s heartbreaking to hear the gentleman recently assaulted in Antrim has died as a result of injuries.
“I can only imagine the pain his family are feeling right now. There’s no place for violence of any kind in our community. My thoughts & love with all his friends loved ones.”
PSNI Detective Inspector Sean Armstrong said: “I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Tony at this very sad time. Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding Tony’s death and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area of Station Road, Antrim on Saturday 2nd November between 7pm and 8pm and may have witnessed this incident, or has any other information that would assist with our enquiries to please get in touch.
“I also urge anyone who may have dash cam or mobile phone footage to share this with us. Detectives can be contacted on 101 quoting reference number 1413 02/11/2024.”