Kiwi charged with backpacker's attack stays in cells

CHARGED: New Zealander Kane Desmond Tupuolamoui, 21, was arrested in Darwin in connection with a 2008 assault on Irish backpacker David Keohane in Sydney.

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A New Zealander charged with the brutal bashing of an Irish backpacker 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.

- NZPA