A New Zealander charged with the brutal bashing of an Irish
backpacker in Australia avoided detection for almost two
years - and continued to keep a low profile when the court
process in Sydney finally began today.
Kane Desmond Tupuolamoui opted to stay in the holding cells
rather than appear in the dock at the Waverley Local Court,
hours after he was extradited from Northern Territory.
Through a duty solicitor, the 21-year-old entered no plea to
a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent to
murder David Keohane. He is also facing a charge of
aggravated robbery.
Tupuolamoui did not seek bail and was remanded in custody by
Magistrate Jacqui Milledge until September 2.
Tupuolamoui was arrested in Darwin early yesterday and after
an extradition hearing he was escorted on to an overnight
flight to Sydney.
He arrived in a police van, evading the attention of local
media.
Mr Keohane, 29, languished in a coma for seven months,
suffered brain damage and is now confined to a wheelchair
after he was assaulted by two youths as he walked home in the
popular tourist suburb of Coogee early on August 9, 2008.
Mr Keohane was taken home to Ireland by family members after
stabilising and only regained consciousness in a hospital in
his home town on of Cork on St Patrick's Day, March 17, last
year.
Tupuolamoui was arrested when detectives raided a property in
Darwin's northern suburbs, following a tip-off from a member
of the public.
A nationwide manhunt for Tupuolamoui intensified two months
ago when alleged co-offender Thomas Isaako was sentenced to a
minimum of 14 years for his part in the beating which
initially left Mr Keohane on life support.
Mr Keohane had lived in Sydney for four years working as a
flooring contractor and part time guidance counsellor.
He was struck in the head 14 times, causing multiple head
injuries and facial fractures.
Two other people, Isaako's then 20-year-old girlfriend and a
39-year-old man, were previously charged with hindering a
police investigation.
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