A man has been charged with the murder of an English tourist who died two months after being injured in the Temple Bar area of Dublin last year.
Darragh O'Brien, 22, of Beechfield Heights, Clonee, Dublin 15, was initially charged with assault causing harm to Anthony Herron related to the attack in the early hours of 21 August 2025, at Temple Bar Square.
Mr Herron, a Londoner in his 40s, was married with one child and about to become a father for the second time, and had just left a local pub when the incident occurred.
Mr O'Brien was granted conditional bail two days later and appeared again at Dublin District Court on Friday, when the case was upgraded to a murder charge.
Garda Colin Coyne Delaney said the accused made "no reply" when charged.
The garda informed Judge Gerard Jones that the Director of Public Prosecutions authorised the withdrawal of the assault charge and that the sole count of murder was to proceed on indictment to the Central Criminal Court.
Mr O'Brien could not apply for bail on Friday, given the nature of the charge, which requires an application to be brought before the High Court.
Mr O'Brien stood during the brief hearing and spoke only to consult with his solicitor, Holly Laher.
Ms Laher asked that her client, who has yet to enter a plea, be remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Thursday.
Legal aid was granted.
Prosecutors must complete a book of evidence and serve it on him before a return-for-trial order is granted.
At his first hearing, the court was told that Mr O'Brien was "couch surfing" with friends around that time.
It was claimed Mr O'Brien kicked the tourist in the head during the attack following an alleged verbal altercation.
Mr Herron was initially taken to St James's Hospital on the night of the assault but was then transferred to Beaumont Hospital to undergo emergency specialist surgery.
He was later repatriated to the UK, where he passed away in October.
At the original bail hearing, the court was told that Mr O'Brien has no previous criminal history and "understands the seriousness of this offence".
The accused was held in custody with consent to bail, subject to the condition of obtaining an address.
He was required to sign on daily and to "stay out of the Dublin 2 area".
He was further told not to renew his passport or any travel document.
