Ballycastle man given bail in Australia

Patrick Lyttle (31), from Ballycastle in Co Antrim, suffered serious injuries after he was allegedly felled by his brother Barry with a single punch during an argument.

It is believed Patrick struck his head on the pavement when he went down outside a Sydney nightclub on Saturday.

On Monday morning, Barry Lyttle was granted bail at Sydney’s Central Local Court after the quantity surveyor was earlier charged with the assault.

As he wiped away tears with his head down, an unshaven Barry Lyttle was told by a magistrate that he must not approach his injured sibling within 12 hours of consuming alcohol.

He was ordered to surrender his passport and stay with an Australian aunt at her address.

Magistrate Les Mabbutt made a $2000 (£1,055) cash surety order and told Lyttle he must report to Blacktown Police Station daily.

Patrick remains in a critical but stable condition following emergency surgery. His father Oliver (74) - who attended the bail hearing - has maintained a vigil at his bedside.

A court prosecutor did not oppose bail, but asked that Lyttle be banned from drinking alcohol before visiting his brother at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney.

Lyttle’s solicitor said his client “is hoping to spend time at St Vincent’s with his brother and father”.

Barry Lyttle is due to appear in court again on 20 January.