A Co Antrim man accused of assaulting his brother in Australia has been allowed to move closer to the hospital where his brother is being treated in Sydney.
Barry Lyttle, 33, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm after he allegedly punched his younger brother in the head during an argument.
Patrick Lyttle, 31, was critically injured in the incident which occurred in the early hours of 4 January in the King’s Cross area of the city.
Prosecutors did not oppose Mr Lyttle's application to change his bail conditions to allow him to move from his aunt's home in Blacktown in western Sydney to somewhere closer to St Vincent's Hospital.
The court was told Mr Lyttle's aunt was sick and her home was no longer a suitable place for him to stay.
Mr Lyttle is required to report to police daily, and an application to have this reduced to three times a week was denied after being opposed by prosecutors.
Prosecutors revealed they would proceed with the case on indictment in the Sydney District Court, which could lead to a more severe penalty if Mr Lyttle is convicted.
His lawyer said he was anxious to view CCTV footage of the incident.
Patrick Lyttle has been in Australia since last June and his father and brother were on a visit there when the incident happened.
He underwent emergency surgery following the alleged assault.
He has now woken from a coma and his father, Oliver, who was in court said he was communicating.
The case will return to court in February.
