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The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, where the men are being treated. louisa_catlover via Flickr/Creative Commons
Hammer Attack
Irish backpackers remain in serious condition in Australian hospital
The two men were seriously injured during an assault at a boarding house in Melbourne.
THE TWO IRISH men who sustained life-threatening injuries in a vicious attack in Melbourne last weekend remain in serious condition in hospital.
David Greene and David Byas were staying in a St Kilda East boarding house on Saturday night when the assault happened. It is understood both men received serious injuries after being hit several times with a hammer.
The parents of both men, who are aged 28 and 30, arrived in Australia on Tuesday and have have spent the past two days at the Prince Alfred Hospital.
The families have requested the media to respect their privacy at this time so they can focus their attention on their sons “who need it most”. In a statement issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs, they added that they have appreciated the messages of support from people in both Ireland and Australia.
Detectives in Melbourne have charged a 31-year-old man in connection to the attack. Police say Luke James Wentholt has been charged with two counts of intentionally causing serious injury and two counts of recklessly causing serious injury, as well as a number of other related offences. He is being remanded in custody until his next hearing on 8 October.
Wentholt was arrested after presenting himself at the Alfred Hospital for treatment about three hours after the time of the attack. It is not yet clear if he lived at the Lynedoch Avenue property with the other men.
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