October 10 – 23, 2013
Volume 26 – Number 22
AUS $3.95 (incl GST) NZ $4.95 (incl GST)
jason byrne
referendum
international rules
interview :: Time out
Page :: 12
sport :: page 39
Funnyman Eyes Up Life In Melbourne
Shock Result As Vote Keeps Seanad Alive
Australia Name Strong Side For Irish Challenge
Bankrupt Oh baby, nothing beats a hometown victory AFL star owes Irish barman new south wales seize home advantage at Australasian gaa championships
Luke O’Neill
See Sport
Man charged with wounding irish receptionist, two German backpackers
Kildare woman ‘stabbed in face’ during hostel attack
Andrea McCullagh
A KILDARE woman is alleged to have suf fered a stab wound to her face during an altercation at a backpackers hostel in central Sydney. Aifric Butler-Rees, 24, from Celbridge, Co Kildare, was taken to hospital alongside two German backpackers after they were allegedly wounded with glass. The Irish Echo understands Ms Butler-Rees is employed as a receptionist at the Nomads Westend Backpackers. Timothy Kelly, 36, with an address in Darlinghurst, appeared at Central Local Court earlier this month and was remanded in custody until November 28. Backpacker Nattapat Penpanussak, who is originally from Thailand, told the Daily Telegraph he suffered cuts to his hand, arm and torso when defending the young woman. “I’m lucky, he wanted to kill me,” he
INCIDENT: The reception desk at the Nomads Westend Backpacker.
said. “You know, as a gentleman, you have to save the woman.” Police arrived at the hostel on Pitt Street in Haymarket at about 2.15am following reports of a stabbing. Police say officers found the two Ger man men, aged 19, and an Irishwoman with stab wounds.
“It is alleged the trio became involved in an argument with a 36-yearold man at the business,” a police statement said. “Police will allege one of the men was stabbed in the neck during the incident, while the second man was stabbed in the arm. The woman also
sustained a stab wound to her face.” Police said a fourth man intervened to assist the trio before the assailant fled.The three backpackers were treated by paramedics before being taken to St Vincent’s Hospital. It is understood the Irishwoman sustained minor cuts. In a Facebook post, she said she was “out of surgery and home already” and thanked everyone for their well wishes. One of the German men was also due to have surgery. Mr Kelly is facing a total of six charges. In relation to Ms Butler-Rees he was charged with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He was charged with the same of fence in relation to Christoph Leibrecht and Lukas Kofink and with assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to Mr Penpanussak and Mustafa Akkan. He also faces a charge of trying to destroy or damage property.
www.irishecho.com.au | Postal Address: PO Box 256, Balmain NSW 2041 Australia | Phone: 1300 555 995 | Email (Editorial): newsdesk@irishecho.com.au | Email (Administration): mail@irishecho.com.au
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TODDLING TO THE TOP: New South Wales men (and kids) celebrate their football final success over Wellington on the final day of the Magners Australasian GAA Championships in Sydney. Pic: Darryl Kennedy
AN Irish barman has been named among the list of creditors for former AFL star Br endan Fevola, who declared bankruptcy last week. Mr Fevola, 32, declared bankruptcy at Brisbane’s Federal Circuit Court with debts of more than $60,000. He did not appear in court during the declaration. The Age reports Registrar Murray Belcher said he was satisfied the documents had been served on Fevola and the debt was still owing. The ex-Brisbane Lions and Carlton star has courted controversy over the years. He was fined nearly $30,000 for various of f-field misdemeanours at Carlton in 2009, before a move to Queensland and the Brisbane Lions TOUGH TIMES: later that year. The club termi- Brendan Fevola nated his contract in 2011, following his arrest on charges of public nuisance and obstructing police. Mr Fevola was sent home in disgrace from Australia’s International Rules tour of Ireland in 2006 after CCTV footage emerged of him putting a barman at the Imperial Hotel in Galway into a headlock. The barman, Paul Murray, took a personal injuries action against Fevola in the Irish courts. Court papers obtained by the Irish Echo show that Mr Mur ray was granted a decree for general damages for €15,000 plus costs in Galway Circuit Court in November 2010. It appears Mr Murray has been unable to recoup any of that award as he is listed among the creditors in Mr Fevola’s bankruptcy. Mr Fevola is being pursued by builder Luciano Menniti for a debt of more than $7,000 in relation to an alleged loan of private school fees for the former footballer’s children. Mr Murray has joined that action as a supporting creditor and is seeking more than $45,000 from the ex-AFL star. Mr Murray could not be reached for comment.