Australian cleared of attempted murder of Irish man

An Australian man has been found not guilty of the attempted murder of an Irish tourist in 2008.

Cork man David Keohane (aged 29) was left for dead after being attacked and robbed while walking in the Coogee district of Sydney in August of that year.

Thomas Isaaco (aged 21) admitted he and a friend bashed and robbed Mr Keohane, but denied he had tried to kill him.

The Downing Centre District Court heard virtually every bone in the Irish man's face was broken and he spent seven months in a coma.

In Sydney today, a jury found Isaaco not guilty of attempted murder.

In an emotional victim impact statement to the court Mr Keohane's sister Carol described how her brother had to learn to eat, walk and wash again after the attack.

Outside the court, his father, Tom, said he was very disappointed with the verdict saying it is his son that has been given the life sentence.

Isaaco has already pleaded guilty to robbery and inflicting grievous bodily harm and will be sentenced next month.

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