THE MAN accused of the fatal assault of an Irishman in Australia has had his charge upgraded to murder.
Irish dad of two Charles McCarthy was allegedly hit on the head with an object as he was out walking with his wife and a friend in the early hours of Saturday December 23.
Mr McCarthy, a married Cork native with two young children, was taken to hospital but later died from his injuries.
Australian man Andrew Doan, 34, was last week charged with causing grievous bodily harm to the 32-year-old.
However the charge was upgraded to murder during an appearance in Magistrates Court of Western Australia this morning.
Mr Doan was not required to enter a plea to the charge and spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood the charge.
His lawyer made a bail application last week following the initial charge, arguing that Mr McCarthy charged at Mr Doan before the fatal blow.
He told the court that Mr Doan's actions were more like self-defence than murder.
The bail application did not proceed after the charge was upgraded to murder.
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