Son who was knocked unconscious in ‘random attack’ in Australia woke up and rang his parents in Ireland… only to die from brain haemorrhage

  • Thomas Keaney was on a night out with friends when he was attacked
  • Called his parents Tommy and Ann after assault complaining of a headache
  • They were contacted on Christmas Eve by doctors to say he got worse
  • Flew to Australia to be by his side when he passed away on Saturday
  • Man appeared in court charged with grievous bodily harm over incident

By Hayley O'keeffe

PUBLISHED: 07:55 EST, 30 December 2013 | UPDATED: 07:55 EST, 30 December 2013

Devastated parents of an Irishman who died after a 'random punch' in an Australian nightspot were able to speak to him one last time before he died.

'Happy go lucky' Thomas Keaney, 23, was attacked while waiting for a Perth taxi after going out to the country to 'make a few pounds.'

He was able to call his shocked parents Tommy and Ann after regaining consciousness in hospital last week.

Thomas Keaney died after he was attacked on a night out in Perth, Australia

Thomas Keaney died after he was attacked on a night out in Perth, Australia

But Australian doctors called the couple again on Christmas Eve to say his condition had deteriorated dramatically.

 

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They raced to get a flight to be by their son's side, and were with him when he died from a suspected bleed to the brain on Saturday.

Thomas' uncle Brendan Keaney told the Irish Independent: 'It seems he was the victim of a random punch.

'He had been knocked out on the night he took the punch, but came round and talked to his parents (by telephone) a couple of days before Christmas Eve while still in hospital.

'At that stage he was complaining to his day of having a pain in his head. The initial fear was that he had a bleed on the brain.'

The Cure Tavern in Perth, Australia where Thomas Keaney worked

The Cure Tavern in Perth, Australia where Thomas Keaney worked

Thomas was enjoying his time in Australia and had worked on farms and at an Irish bar in Northbridge.

He had recently extended his visa to stay in the country for longer.

Thomas, who was born in America before moving to Balleyconneely, Co Galway, was on a night out with friends, when he suffered the random punch.

The force of the blow knocked him out and he hit his head on the pavement.

Police have arrested 22-year-old Abbas Al Jrood in connection with the assault.

He has appeared at Perth Magistrates Court to face charges of grievous bodily harm.

Mr Keaney added: 'He was a very happy-go lucky guy who went out there to make a few pounds.

'He had planned to stay for another year to make a few pounds and then come back. He had done a few computer courses in Ireland before he went.'


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R.I.P. Young fella. Thoughts go out to your family and friends. Sleep well champ.

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that is extremely sad........RIP.............. the perpertrator deserves to be flogged then hung

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Hope his attacker get hammered with a proper jail sentence....scum

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Every other paper has reported it was outside a Kebab shop. RIP such a waste of a young life.

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He has appeared at Perth Magistrates Court to face charges of grievous bodily harm.-------hope that now has been changed to murder or at least manslaughter.

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Police have arrested 22-year-old Abbas Al Jrood in connection with the assault.-----this sounds like another victim of what is called 'knockout game' in america, hope this sort of violence doesn't spread to britain.

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why is it not unlawful killing?

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RIP, shocking! the next time anyone thinks of throwing a punch remember you could kill someone. :(

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Im not an expert on Australian law, but surely the charge of "grievous bodily harm" should be changed to manslaughter now?!!! RIP young man xx

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Terrible. Glad his parents were able to be with him when he died

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