Alleged Saturday night attack ‘unAustralian’: Police minister

A violent attack that left a man fighting for his life on Australia Day has been denounced as “vile” and “un-Australian” by Police Minister David Elliott. The alleged attacker (pictured) Harrison Hronopoulos, 20, was granted bail on Sunday.

Harry Hronopoulos leaving the Surry Hills Police Centre on Sunday. Picture: Damian Shaw

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A violent attack that left a man fighting for his life on Australia Day has been denounced as “vile” and “un-Australian” by Police Minister David Elliott.

Mr Elliott said the summer had been the most tumultuous in living memory and the state was in mourning.

“To have this sort of (alleged) offence committed at a weekend when we should be celebrating the achievements of our nation is just vile,” he said.

“I believe what has occurred over the last 24 hours is just un-Australian... (It’s) a culture we really need to divest ourselves of.”

Jeyegganesh Eswaran, 22, is in hospital in a critical condition with head, brain and dental injuries after allegedly being punched in the face and falling to the ground and hitting his head in Sydney’s CBD on Saturday night.

Police arrested Harrison Hronopoulos, 20, a short time later and charged him with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm.

Harry Hronopoulos leaves the Surry Hills Police Centre on Sunday. Picture: Damian Shaw

NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke said he was disappointed by the alleged offence.

Mr Cooke said police would continue to work with the city’s watering holes and lawmakers to make sure people are safe on a night out in Sydney.

“When that doesn’t happen you’ll end up in the dock,” he said.

Hronopoulos is charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm. Picture: Social media

On Sunday he appeared via videolink in Parramatta Court which heard the incident happened in a “melee-affray-type situation” after Hronopoulos’ girlfriend was refused entry to a nightclub.

Magistrate Darryl Pearce granted bail, saying: “It’s a prevalent occurrence that a person, affected by too much alcohol, is involved in acts of violence on the streets.”