Man charged over Melbourne death

A man appeared in court in Melbourne today charged with the murder of Irish man David Greene.

Luke James Wentholt (31) appeared before Melbourne magistrates court via videolink.

He faced upgraded charges relating to an alleged attack on Mr Greene and another Irish man, David Byas, at a boarding house in the St Kilda East area of the city on August 26th.

Mr Wentholt had been charged with two counts of intentionally causing serious injury and recklessly causing serious injury before Mr Greene (30) died in the Alfred hospital last Friday.

Mr Wentholt was arrested at the same hospital Mr Greene and Mr Byas were taken to after seeking treatment for injuries at 4.30am on the night of the assault.

The court heard yesterday from prosecutor John Riordan that the charges against Mr Wentholt had been upgraded and he now faced one count of murder.

The police brief of evidence is due to be handed to Mr Wentholt’s defence lawyer by November 6th.

Mr Byas (28) emerged from a coma last week but is still in a serious condition in the Alfred hospital’s rehabilitation unit.

He and Mr Greene, both from Cabinteely in Dublin, were allegedly attacked with a hammer after coming to the aid of a woman in the boarding house.

Mr Greene’s family, who had flown in from Ireland, were with him when he died almost two weeks after the vicious assault.

In a statement, the family expressed their gratitude to all those who have helped and supported them, including staff at the Alfred and the Australian Irish Welfare Bureau in Melbourne.

Mr Byas’s parents, Fran and Philomena, have also travelled to Australia, the Irish Embassy in Canberra said.

Mr Wentholt, who was in tears during his court appearance, was remanded in custody for a committal mention on December 18th.