A man from Co Antrim has been given a 13-month suspended sentence in Australia for punching his brother, who went into a coma after suffering a head injury as a result of the blow.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports Barry Lyttle (33) hugged his brother Patrick - who recovered from his injuries - when the judge in Sydney handed down his decision.

It will allow the family to return home to Ireland.

Barry Lyttle had pleaded guilty to recklessly causing grievous bodily harm in the early hours of January 3rd.

Patrick Lyttle had spoken out publicly in support of his brother, and asked for the charges against him to be dropped.

The court has previously been told that Patrick Lyttle does not have lasting injuries after the incident.

Barry Lyttle punched his brother in the head following a minor disagreement outside a nightclub.

Barry and his father, Oliver, were said to have arrived in Australia just days before the incident to visit Patrick - who was backpacking around the country.

Samantha Brett is a court reporter with Channel 7 News in Sydney. She told Newstalk Breakfast there were emotional scenes in court today.