An Australian teenager has been charged with assaulting an Irish man, who is currently fighting for his life in Canberra Hospital.

Daniel Byrne (18) appeared in front of ACT Magistrate Court on Tuesday morning, charged with grievous bodily harm on 41-year-old victim, who has been named as Timothy McCarthy from Killarney in County Kerry. Police say the Irishman was the victim of an unprovoked attack.

After police examined CCTV footage from the scene, Byrne was arrested on Monday night when police raided his Franklin home. He was refused bail and remanded in custody, due to reappear in court this Friday.

Police believe the 18-year-old struck the Irishman in the face outside the Quick and Go convenience store in the early hours of Sunday morning last.
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Investigators believe the blow caused the victim to fall to the ground and loss consciousness resulting in a severe head injury.

After the attack nearby security staff placed McCarthy in the recovery position before emergency services arrived and took him to Canberra Hospital.

A hospital spokesperson told the Irish Echo the victim remains a ‘serious but stable’ condition after undergoing emergency surgery.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has contacted the victims family and is offering consular assistance.