Fresh details emerge in case of Irish couple charged over stabbing attack as court hears 'victim was dragged along the floor with a punctured spleen and severed ear' after WhatsApp call asking for 'muscle'

  • Court heard new details in alleged stabbing of an Irish national in Sydney's east
  • Oliver Solan, 30, was found by neighbours at a unit block with serious injuries
  • He suffered wounds to his body and face as well as a partially severed ear 
  • Police allege Patrick Earle, 23, and Mr Solan had a fight before more men arrived
  • Earle allegedly texted John Dunlea, 27, on WhatsApp asking for 'muscle' 
  • Earle's girlfriend Katie Murtagh, 26, allegedly let four men in and fight broke out 

By Brittany Chain and Lauren Ferri For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

New details have emerged of an alleged stabbing attack on an Irishman who was found on the floor of a unit block with horrific injuries. 

Oliver Solan, 30, was allegedly dragged across a floor and dumped in a hallway with a punctured spleen and severed ear on Saturday night, a court heard on Wednesday.

Katie Murtagh, 26, and her 23-year-old boyfriend Patrick Earle have both been charged over the alleged attack along with two other men.

Katie Murtagh, 26, and her 23-year-old boyfriend Patrick Earle have been charged

Katie Murtagh, 26, and her 23-year-old boyfriend Patrick Earle have been charged 

CCTV footage was released of a John Dunlea as police wanted to speak with regarding the alleged attack

CCTV footage was released of a John Dunlea as police wanted to speak with regarding the alleged attack

Waverley Local Court heard that Earle and Murtagh has met Solan at the Coogee Pavilion, inviting him to their Young St unit where they allegedly took cocaine and drank alcohol, The Daily Telegraph reported.

An argument led to a fight between Solan and Earle, who suffered a dislocated shoulder. He then allegedly texted fellow Irish national John Dunlea, 27, on WhatsApp asking for 'muscle', the court heard.  

When Dunlea and two other men - Patrick Farrell and Christopher Morrison - arrived a short time later Murtagh allegedly let them into the unit block.

Solan was allegedly stabbed multiple times in the body and face before the three men ran from the scene, the court heard.

Police allege Earle dragged Solan's bleeding body into the hallway before fleeing with Murtagh.

Solan suffered a disfigured ear and a ruptured spleen - which was removed during surgery - and remains in a serious by stable condition. 

The court heard that at least one bladed weapon was used during the alleged attack. 

Dunlea handed himself in to Maroubra Police Station on Tuesday after officers made a public appeal for information on his whereabouts. 

Young Irish couple Katie Murtagh and Patrick Earle (pictured together) have been charged over the alleged stabbing of a man that left him stranded in a unit block hallway with a partially severed ear

Young Irish couple Katie Murtagh and Patrick Earle (pictured together) have been charged over the alleged stabbing of a man that left him stranded in a unit block hallway with a partially severed ear

Neighbours found victim Oliver Solan, 30, barely conscious in a hallway at a Young Street apartment block in Randwick, in Sydney's east, about 8.40pm on Sunday

Neighbours found victim Oliver Solan, 30, barely conscious in a hallway at a Young Street apartment block in Randwick, in Sydney's east, about 8.40pm on Sunday

Earle's girlfriend, 26-year-old Katie Murtagh is pictured in a recent social media photo

Earle's girlfriend, 26-year-old Katie Murtagh is pictured in a recent social media photo 

Dunlea appeared before the court via video link charged with one count of wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. 

His lawyer applied for bail, which Magistrate Ross Hudson granted with strict conditions and with a surety of $20,000. 

Earle was charged with wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Murtagh was charged with aid and abet to wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. 

Both remain in custody after being refused bail earlier in the week. 

A fifth person who police would like to speak to is still unaccounted for. 

Most watched News videos

Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.