Man charged over one-punch attack on brother
A man accused of a one-punch attack that's left his brother fighting for his life has been charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm.
Irishman Barry Lyttle, 33, is accused of knocking his 31-year-old brother, Patrick Lyttle, onto a Sydney footpath at about 3am on Saturday, three days into his Australian holiday.
On Facebook, it appears the tight-knit family enjoyed spending time together, with their cousin Stephen writing "Brothers in arms" on one snap of the two brothers together.
A man accused of a one-punch attack that's left his brother fighting for his life has been charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm. Photo: 7News
Emergency services found younger brother Patrick in a pool of blood at the scene, New Corp reports.
Paramedics treated the younger man before taking him to St Vincent's Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery and is in a critical but stable condition.
The older sibling has now been charged and has been refused bail.
Their father was in shock and keeping a vigil at his son's hospital bedside, police said.
"The pain in his eyes, you could not describe," Commander of Kings Cross Police Superintendent Michael Fitzgerald told reporters.
Superintendent Michael Fitzgerald told reporters Saturday the brothers and their father were having a few drinks after dinner during a holiday from Ireland. Photo: 7News
"This is a tragedy.
"These are two brothers who got into an argument and tragically... one brother punched the other and caused him to fall to the ground."
"We have a father who is facing the reality of one son facing serious criminal charges, another son fighting for his life."
"Hopefully he'll have an opportunity to talk to his son before we take him off to court and he'll remain at the bedside for his other son."
The injured man's condition would not be known for the next 24-48 hours, Supt Fitzgerald said.
A 32-year-old man has been hospitalised to undergo emergency surgery after being punched in the head by a relative in Sydney. Photo: 7News
A 32 y/old Irish national is critical after being punched in the head in Kings Cross. Police allege punch thrown by his brother @7NewsSydney
— Matthew Snelson (@matthewsnelson7) January 2, 2015
Irish national charged after allegedly punching his brother - who is now fighting for life in Sydney's St Vincent's hospital @7NewsSydney
— Matthew Snelson (@matthewsnelson7) January 3, 2015
“He (the victim) was not a patron of the club tonight,” a security guard said.
“His brother screamed because he just realised how bad it really was. I think the blood is what really shook him up.”
Morning news break - January 3
