'I still can't tie my own shoes': Irish backpacker, 24, whose head was caved in by one-punch assault while celebrating New Year in Sydney slams Australian authorities after his attackers walked free from court

  • Irish backpacker suffered catastrophic brain injuries in New Year's Eve attack
  • Michael Hyndman, 24, was celebrating in Sydney in January with his fiancée Clar
  • He was struck with one-punch and hit his head, causing bleeding to the brain
  • Alleged his case would have been treated differently were he still in Australia 

By Press Association and Max Margan For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 17:56 EST, 20 November 2018 | Updated: 18:28 EST, 20 November 2018

Michael Hyndman, 24, was celebrating the new year in the early hours of January 1 with his fiancée Clar when he was struck and hit his head

Michael Hyndman, 24, was celebrating the new year in the early hours of January 1 with his fiancée Clar when he was struck and hit his head

An Irish backpacker who suffered catastrophic brain injuries in a one-punch attack in Sydney has slammed local authorities, claiming his attackers wouldn't have walked free if they had assaulted an Australian.

Michael Hyndman, 24, was left in a coma after he was brutally attacked in the early hours of January 1 while celebrating the new year with his fiancée, Clar.

The young couple, from Belfast, had planned to start a new life together in Sydney before their lives were changed forever.

Mr Hyndman was struck with a single punch and hit his head on the concrete, causing bleeding to the brain.

Part of his skull had to be removed, he spent weeks in hospital recovering and had to learn to walk and talk again. He required 47 stitches in his head. 

Mr Hyndman, who was given the all-clear to return home to his family four months after the attack, said two people were charged with affray and received 18-month suspended sentences.

'I believe my injuries were not taken into consideration when prosecuting them for affray, it was a generic sentence no matter what injuries were sustained,' he said. 

Mr Hyndman alleged his case would have been treated differently by prosecutors were he still in Australia and not home in Belfast.

Mr Hyndman said: 'It is disappointing, I just feel like if I was an Australian citizen they would take it more seriously'

Mr Hyndman said: 'It is disappointing, I just feel like if I was an Australian citizen they would take it more seriously'

The 24-year-old spent weeks in hospital recovering and had to learn to walk and talk again

The 24-year-old spent weeks in hospital recovering and had to learn to walk and talk again

Mr Hyndman needed 47 stitches in his head as a result of the one-punch attack in Sydney 

The New South Wales Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions was not immediately available for comment.

Mr Hyndman said: 'It is disappointing, I just feel like if I was an Australian citizen they would take it more seriously, I am just a backpacker from another country.'

The quantity surveyor said his injuries had left him unable to play contact sports or go to the gym and made him anxious about venturing out for a night-out.

'I am afraid of things falling on my head or being bumped into, things that people normally do,' he said. 

Mr Hyndman told UTV Northern Ireland 'daily life is just not the same' following the attack.  

'It's hard to go out at nighttime just in case anything does happen. Even the smallest fall or bump in the head could be serious,' he said. 

'I needed to learn how to walk, speak - even the small chores like brushing your teeth or putting on your own socks and shoes - I had to relearn.

'Three months down the line after the last surgery, I still can't tie my own shoes.'

Mr Hyndman alleged his case would have been treated differently by prosecutors were he still in Australia and not home in Belfast

Mr Hyndman alleged his case would have been treated differently by prosecutors were he still in Australia and not home in Belfast

Mr Hyndman was struck with a single punch and hit his head on the concrete while bringing in the new year with his fiancee, Clar

Mr Hyndman was struck with a single punch and hit his head on the concrete while bringing in the new year with his fiancee, Clar

Part of Mr Hyndman's skull had to be removed following the New Year's Eve attack 

Part of Mr Hyndman's skull had to be removed following the New Year's Eve attack 

In a previous post on his GoFundMe page, Mr Hyndman spoke of the devastating physical and psychological impact of the attack. 

'It's crazy to think just 105 days ago my horrible nightmare began,' he wrote in May. 

'My future, which I thought I had mapped out before me, was hanging in the balance after just one punch left me fighting for my life.' 

He added: 'Looking back, there is no doubt in my mind that my recovery has been phenomenal. 

'And if I'm totally honest, I don't think this would have been the case if it wasn't for my friends, my family, colleagues and the many selfless people who don't even really know me, yet donated to my cause.'

The fundraising page has so far gathered $33,564 (£18,932). 

Mr Hyndman told Irish media that 'daily life is just not the same' following the attack

Mr Hyndman told Irish media that 'daily life is just not the same' following the attack

Mr Hyndman was given the all-clear to return home to his family four months after the attack

Mr Hyndman was given the all-clear to return home to his family four months after the attack

Mr Hyndman previously spoke of the devastating physical and physiological impact the attack had caused

Mr Hyndman previously spoke of the devastating physical and physiological impact the attack had caused

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Irish backpacker bashed in one-punch assault celebrating New Year in Sydney slams authorities

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