The High Court has heard a top amateur footballer is accused of an attempted murder which may have left the victim brain damaged.
Owen Wright, 20, is alleged to have been among a group of men who attacked two brothers outside a bar in Co Down.
Prosecutors said one of the pair had been on a life support machine and needed two operations to remove brain clots.
Although his condition has since improved, Crown Counsel Jonathan Lowry told the court the victim remains in hospital.
"There's an issue regarding brain damage that still has to be investigated," he said.
Wright, whose address was given as Glenwood Court, Dunmurry, is accused of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm with intent.
The charges against him and other suspects relate to disturbances outside Maginn's Bar in Castlewellan in July.
It was alleged that the brothers were attacked following an earlier incident where a glass had been smashed into another man's face.
Many of those involved were said to have lived in the nearby village of Drumaness and known each other for years.
CCTV footage
Mr Lowry added: "Subsequently CCTV footage was recovered from Maginn's Bar. Essentially it indicates it was a fairly vicious assault."
Wright was previously granted bail but returned to court in a bid to have his curfew lifted.
Although a witness was said to live in Drumaness, the prosecution offered no objection because the accused is already barred from entering the village.
Defence barrister Sean Devine stressed that the police investigations were now at an advanced stage.
"Although the repercussions are very high it's in effect a fight outside a pub. It's a confusing incident with many people involved," the lawyer said.
Mr Devine added that his client "plays a very high level of football" with Drumaness Mills in the Northern Amateur Football League's Premier Division.
As well as working until as late as 7pm, Wright was said to have spent his evenings training regularly.
After hearing the case Mr Justice Hart granted the application.
He said: "I'm prepared to vary the bail order and I will do so by removing the curfew. The remaining conditions stay in place."
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