Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Youth gang beats Harry as he tries to save dog
Family’s plea after 24-yr-old injured
STEPFATHER OF HARRY
A YOUNG man sustained serious head injuries after he stepped in to stop a gang of youths attacking a dog.
Harry Doherty, 24, is facing a long road to recovery and his family have urged anyone who witnessed his assault to come forward.
Harry, from the Marlborough area of Derry, was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast due to the seriousness of his injuries following the incident on July 12.
And despite suffering intense pain and a bleed at the back of his skull, a procedure this week has shown there are no signs of any aneurysms.
Harry’s mum Linda asked for thoughts and prayers for her son.
She said: “He’s been mad about dogs since he was a toddler and has a big black
Labrador in the house so it didn’t surprise me at all that he would do this. But it’s shocking how such a good deed can end up with such a horrendous outcome.”
Harry had been visiting a friend’s house in the Fernabbey area and was returning home in a taxi when he saw a black dog being attacked by a gang with sticks and stones on the Skeoge Road.
His stepfather Gerry Doherty said he had asked the taxi driver to pull over to try to save the canine and it is thought there may have been around 15 youths present at the time.
Mr Doherty added: “He got out to chastise them and he ends up unconscious on the ground. He can’t remember much about it but is getting flashbacks of it and there was a whole crowd of them.
“My appeal is to the others in that group of young people, particularly the younger ones, to tell their parents what they know. Some young boy could be sitting in their bedroom not knowing what to do or where to go.
“I would urge them to tell their mothers and fathers, ‘I was there’.
“I would appeal to those who were there to speak up. It’s about knowing the difference between right and wrong. “I would be worried that whoever did this would do it again if they get away with it this time.”
Harry was helped by two members of the public before being transferred to hospital by ambulance.
Police in Derry appealed for anyone who witnessed the assault to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Friends Of Rescue, an animal organisation supported by Harry, have been sharing his story. A spokesperson said: “We want to give Harry massive encouragement on his road to recovery – we need more peple like him in this world.
“We have been upset, horrified and angered that we share this earth not only with people who would try to harm a defencesless animal, but also seriously injure a person trying to help.”
Laura O’flaherty has set up a fundraising page for Harry to honour his “amazing act of kindness and bravery”. She said: “Harry deserves recognition for what he has done and this money we raise will hopefully go some way to taking any financial pressure off Harry as he recovers from his brutal assault.” To donate please visit www.gofundme. com/f/3be3fg-help-for-harry.