Man, 20, charged over Sydney assault
The 20-year-old man was arrested in a Sydney suburb yesterday after a police breakthrough in the investigation into the attack on David Keohane, 29.
The Ballyvolane native was viciously assaulted and left for dead after walking home from a party in Coogee in Sydney’s eastern beaches area on August 9.
His head injuries were so severe it took police 48 hours to identify him.
He had to undergo facial reconstructive surgery and spent five weeks in a medically-induced coma in the Prince of Wales Hospital.
He was flown home to Cork two weeks ago after a gruelling commercial flight from Sydney, and an emergency medical air lift from London, paid for by Lifeline Ambulances in Co Kildare.
He was taken to Cork University Hospital where his condition was described yesterday as “comfortable”.
New South Wales (NSW) police have continued their investigations into the assault and made a breakthrough in the early hours of yesterday morning, Irish time.
Detectives arrested a man at Bankstown Police station at 3.30pm, Sydney time, and took him to a house in nearby Meredith Street where they executed a search warrant and seized a number of items.
The man was taken to the police station where he declined to be interviewed.
Police subsequently charged him with one count of attempted murder and one count of aggravated robbery with wounding.
He was remanded in custody to appear before Bankstown Local Court today.
His 19-year-old girlfriend who was also arrested has been charged with hindering an investigation and concealing a serious offence.
She was granted bail with conditions and will appear before Waverley Local Court on October 29.
A NSW Police spokeswoman said Mr Keohane’s family had been informed of the arrests.
The family, who has requested complete privacy, declined to comment.
Eastern Beaches Acting Commander, Superintendent Paul Pisanos, said he is very pleased with the police effort which resulted in the arrest.
“I commend the police who have worked tirelessly under difficult circumstances during this investigation,” he said.
“Inquiries into the alleged assault continue and we have not ruled out making further arrests.”
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