AN Australian man accused of a fatal assault against an Irishman has had his charge upgraded to murder.
Charles McCarthy (32) from Cork was allegedly struck on the head with an object while out walking with his wife and a friend early on December 23.
He died from his injuries in hospital.
Andrew Doan (34) was charged last week with causing grievous bodily harm. This was upgraded to murder during an appearance in Magistrates Court of Western Australia yesterday morning.
Doan was not required to enter a plea and spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood the charge.
His lawyer had made a bail application following the initial charge last week, arguing that Mr McCarthy charged at Doan before the fatal blow.
The lawyer told the court that Doan's actions were more self-defence.
However, the bail application did not proceed after the charge was upgraded.
It is understood that Mr McCarthy, who was from Upper Aghada in Co Cork, moved to Australia in 2000. A father of two, he was working as a cable layer in Perth.
