Appeal after Irish backpacker's death.

Summary: The mother of an Irish backpacker who has died in Australia says she doesn't blame her son's attacker.

The mother of an Irish backpacker who has died in Australia says she doesn't blame her son's attacker.

Twenty-three-year-old Gearoid Walsh was involved in a fight in Coogee, after an argument with a man in a takeaway food shop. He died in hospital after spending four days on a life support machine.

At a press conference his mother, Tress Walsh, has urged the attacker to come forward. I'd really like to say that as a mother, I really feel for this guy that got into a fight with Gearoid. I am heartbroken for him because we don't blame him."

Tressa Walsh assured the attacker the family did not believe he was guilty of murder and that it was an accident.

Reports say Walsh had been drinking at hotels in the area before he got into an argument with the man who punched him. He then fell and hit his head on the ground.

Police released CCTV footage taken on Sunday showing a man who was wanted for questioning in relation to the assault. The footage shows a man 25 to 30 years of age, 175cm tall, white, with short brown hair.

Walsh had only arrived in Australia a month ago on a working visa. He had been spending time between his brother's house in Brisbane, Australia and his sister's place in Sydney.

Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

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