A Connemara man has died in hospital in Australia after he suffered serious head injuries in an assault in Perth.
Tom Keaney (23) from Murvey, Ballyconneely had been planning to return home for Christmas — he had emigrated just 12 months ago - but decided to stay in Perth after he was offered more work in the bar where he was employed.
He was standing outside a kebab shop in Northridge after midnight on December 17th when a row broke out and he received a single blow to the head.
He fell to the ground and struck his head off the pavement. An ambulance rushed him to Royal Perth Hospital where he received emergency medical attention for serious head injuries.
His parents, Tommy and Ann flew to Perth on St Stephen’s Day. Their son, who was then on life support , died early yesterday.
A 22-year-old local man, Abbas Al Jarood, appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court on a charge of causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Keaney. He was remanded in custody.