An Antrim man who had been in a coma in Australia after he was allegedly punched by his brother, has regained consciousness and is now 'stable'.

Patrick Lyttle (31) has been in the intensive care unit at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney since the incident in the early hours of Saturday morning.

His brother Barry Lyttle (33) was charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm last week.

A spokesman for the hospital said that he is now sitting up in bed where his father, Oliver, and elder brother have been keeping a vigil all week.

"He's in a stable condition but he's still in intensive care," a hospital spokesman told the AAP.

He said it was wrong to speculate on whether Mr Lyttle would make a full recovery, but added: "It is certainly a very positive sign that he's now sitting up and conscious."

It is believed he will stay in intensive care.

It is thought that Barry Lyttle and his father had come to visit Patrick, who had been in Sydney since June.

Barry Lyttle is due to appear in court again on January 20th.