A 31-year-old Irish man is in a critical condition in hospital in Australia, after he was allegedly punched once in the head by his older brother.
His family had just arrived in Sydney for a holiday.
33 year old Barry Lyttle appeared in court today charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm and did not apply for bail.
It's believed Barry Lyttle and and his father, from Antrim, were visiting the victim, Patrick Lyttle, who had been travelling around Australia for several months.
They'd only been in the country 3 days when the incident happened along Bayswater Rd, Kings Cross in Sydney, about 3am local time.
Kings Cross detective superintendent Michael Fitzgerald said the three family members had gone out for dinner, before their father went home, and the brothers went to a bar.
Supt Fitzgerald said the pair got into an argument outside the club before it became physical.
One brother had pushed the other and the other reacted by punching him once in the head, causing him to fall to the ground,. Patrick was treated by paramedics before being rushed to hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery.
Barry Lyttle wept uncontrollably as he appeared via video link at Parramatta this morning, as the magistrate outlined the charges.
He was remanded in custody and will reappear in court on Monday..
Supt Fitzgerald said the older brother had been breath tested and recorded a low-range blood alcohol reading...and describing the incident as a family tragedy.
