Family relieved as attacker sentenced
David Keohane, 29, was left for dead after he was assaulted by Thomas Isaako, 22, and Kane Desmond Tupuolamoui, 21, while walking to his home in Coogee, Sydney, at 3am on August 9, 2008, after buying a pizza.
Flooring contractor Mr Keohane, from Ballyvolane, Co Cork, was punched with extreme force at least a dozen times as he lay on the pavement in the unprovoked robbery. He sustained multiple fractures to the skull and face and was unconscious for 218 days, during which his family flew him back to Ireland.
Speaking in Cork yesterday, Mr Keohane’s mother Rita said the two behind her son’s attack deserved the sentences they got.
She made the statement after her son’s second attacker, Tupuolamoui, was sentenced to a maximum sentence of 13 years — eight years without parole — in the New South Wales District Court.
Ms Keohane said the family were happy the two men responsible for the attack have finally faced justice. She said: “We are happy enough, to be honest we are glad it is all over now.
“The family have had so much support since the attack and we would like to thank everyone for their kind words and prayers.”
And she said despite the two attackers finally being jailed, her son was given a life sentence and continues to struggle with his injuries on a daily basis.
“David is gradually getting better but he still has a long road of recovery ahead of him.”
Isaako, 22, was sentenced in May last year to at least 14 years in jail for the attack on Mr Keohane and another student nine days later.
