A man accused of attempted murder during sectarian clashes in Coleraine has an alibi, a court heard on Friday.
Philip Kane, 34, appeared at Coleraine Magistrates' Court, Co Londonderry, following disturbances which left his alleged victim battling for life in hospital.
Damien Fleming, 46, was badly injured when violence erupted last month following Scottish football fixtures which saw Glasgow Rangers beat Celtic to the Scottish Premier League title.
A 40-strong loyalist mob entered the mainly Catholic estate where Mr Fleming was attacked.
Detective Sergeant Peter McKenna said: "We have spoken to all alibi witnesses to date.
"Some do confirm that alibi."
He added a large number did not corroborate the alibi.
Kane, from Brook Street, Coleraine, was charged with attempted murder and appeared surrounded by riot police.
A small crowd had gathered outside the courthouse.
Catholic father-of-four Kevin McDaid died following the clashes on May 24 in the Somerset Drive area of Coleraine.
A total of six men were charged with the murder, while Kane, who spoke only to confirm he understood the charge, is the ninth person accused of attempted murder.
Mr Fleming remains in a critical condition in hospital in Belfast.
A solicitor for the accused, Ciara Campbell, asked whether the evidence against her client was that of one witness.
Sgt McKenna replied: "The key evidence at this point in time is the identification of one witness, however we are speaking to a number of other witnesses."
He said the informant had no criminal record and that "a large number of statements have been taken".
He said some of those were video statements but confirmed that Kane has co-operated with the police and agreed to the taking of all samples.
Ms Campbell said: "One of his alibi witnesses is out of the jurisdiction."
There was no bail application and he was ordered by District Judge Richard Wilson to reappear from prison via video link on June 8.
© Press Association