An IRISHMAN in Australia who was seriously injured in an assault was reported last night to have died in a Sydney hospital after having been on life support.
Gearóid Walsh (23) was taken to hospital late on Sunday night when he stopped breathing following the attack in the beachside suburb of Coogee.
Mr Walsh suffered severe head injuries and went into cardiac arrest as a result of the assault.
The police confirmed that Mr Walsh is from Dublin.
It is believed Mr Walsh had been drinking in pubs in the Coogee area before he got into an argument with a man at a takeaway food shop.
The police said Mr Walsh initially left with his brother, but returned moments later and the argument continued.
"The man punched Gearóid, who stumbled and fell, hitting his head on the ground," the police spokesperson said.
Mr Walsh has been on life support in hospital since then. His mother arrived from Ireland on Wednesday.
Investigators are seeking Mr Walsh's attacker. CCTV footage taken on Sunday shows a man who is now wanted for questioning over the assault.
The Coogee area has many hostels and is popular with Irish and British backpackers.
But in recent years it has gained a reputation as a violent suburb, where alcohol-related fights are common.
Corkman David Keohane, now aged 30, was left in a coma after an attack in Coogee in August 2008.