An Irishman (41) is in a critical condition after being assaulted in Australia’s capital, Canberra, yesterday.
Police said a single blow to the head outside a nightclub left him with cerebral bleeding. The man, who has not been named, was attacked in the city centre Civic district early on Sunday morning.
Police found him lying unconscious outside an adjacent 24-hour shop at about 5.30 am.
After being treated at the scene by police officers and security guards, the man was taken to Canberra hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery for cerebral bleeding. Police described his condition as "unresponsive".
The authorities are seeking a suspect caught on security camera footage. "It seems to be a blow from his right arm or elbow," Det Sgt Matt Innes told reporters.
"[The victim] sustained what appears to be externally very little. However, on examination at the Canberra hospital, he's got severe cerebral haemorrhages and he's had to undergo surgery. . . . We do expect to make some arrests in the next couple of days," he said .
Staff at the Quick and Go shop saw a group of five or six men believed to be responsible for the assault and called the police. The group ran when approached by security staff working nearby.
The surrounding area was cordoned off yesterday morning while forensic teams analysed the scene.
Police have appealed for further witnesses to come forward. The area is busy in the early hours of Sundays, as patrons from emptying nightclubs walk to a nearby taxi rank.
The Irish Embassy in Canberra has been in contact with the victim's family in Ireland and offered consular assistance.
The attack is the latest in a number of serious assaults on Irish people in Australia in recent years.
Laois man Liam Ryan (29) was attacked in Brisbane's city centre in the early hours of May 26th last. A Brisbane teenager received a 15-month jail sentence for the assault. Mr Ryan was released from hospital on June 6th and returned to Ireland shortly after.
Dubliner Gearóid Walsh (23) never regained consciousness after being struck in October 2009 in the Sydney suburb of Coogee. A local man is awaiting trial for the manslaughter of Mr Walsh.
In August 2008, Corkman David Keohane was attacked in the same suburb where Mr Walsh died.
Mr Keohane was flown back to Ireland while still in a coma, from which he emerged on St Patrick’s Day, 2009. One man has been jailed over the attack on Mr Keohane.