Second arrest over attack on schoolboy Philip Convery

A second man has been arrested in connection with an attack which left a Magherafelt schoolboy in a critical condition.

Philip Convery was beaten during an attempted robbery at his grandmother's house on Mayogall Road, Knockcloghrim on Tuesday night.

The teenager underwent surgery and is now in a stable condition in hospital.

The man, 21, was arrested in Belfast on Saturday. Another man, arrested in England on Friday is still in custody.

The 28-year-old suspect was brought back to Northern Ireland to be questioned by PSNI detectives.

The 16-year-old GCSE student suffered serious head injuries in the attack and at one stage was critically ill.

His 70-year-old grandmother and his 44-year old uncle were also assaulted and injured during the attempted robbery at the isolated bungalow.

They were also treated in hospital.

The intruders, who were carrying a gun, entered the house at about 20:45 BST on Tuesday.

Philip is a pupil at St Patrick's College, Maghera, and had gone to visit his uncle for help ahead of his GCSE maths exam when the attack happened.

The principal of his school, Anne Scott, said the teenager was beaten as he tried to protect his grandmother and described his actions as "heroic".

Police have reissued an appeal for information, especially in relation to a dark blue coloured, four-door saloon vehicle, possibly a Vauxhall Vectra which was believed to have been used during this attack.

The car had no rear number plate.

It is believed it travelled from the scene of the incident at Mayogall Road, towards Portgelenone and then onwards towards the Ballymena area.