Updated 10.00

DETECTIVES IN MELBOURNE have charged a 31-year-old man in connection to an alleged serious assault which has left two Irish backpackers fighting for their lives.

Police say Luke James Wentholt has been charged with intentionally and recklessly causing serious injury and other related offences. He appeared before Melbourne Magistrates Court where he was remanded in custody until his next hearing on 8 October.

Meanwhile, the two Irish men who sustained life-threatening injuries in the assault on Sunday remain in critical condition in a St Kilda East hospital.

According to the Herald Sun, one is described as “critical”, the other as “critical but stable”.

Aged 28 and 30, police have confirmed that both men were Irish backpackers living in the St Kilda East boarding house where the attack happened just after 1am yesterday.

It is understood a hammer was used during the vicious assault.

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.

The Irish Consul-General in Melbourne is providing assistance to the families of the injured men.

More: Irish backpackers ‘critical but stable’ after Melbourne hammer assault>

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