Claim of drug use and supply in alleged Irish bashing that saw man’s ear severed in Sydney unit

A fresh claim has been made about the relationship between Irishman Patrick Earle and a man he would allegedly viciously stab in a Sydney unit block.

Irishman Patrick Earle allegedly worked dealing cannabis with a man he is accused of bashing and stabbing, a court has heard.

Oliver Solan was found by paramedics with serious injuries, including a punctured spleen and partially severed left ear, after allegedly being bashed by a group of men at a Randwick unit block on August 29, 2020.

A jury trial which began on Thursday heard on the night of the alleged stabbing, Mr Earle and Mr Solan had been drinking and doing cocaine together at the unit after returning from the Coogee Pavilion.

Mr Earle has pleaded not guilty to charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and supplying a commercial amount of the prohibited drug cannabis.

He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of supplying cannabis under a commercial amount.

Patrick Earle pleaded not guilty to wounding Oliver Solan with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Picture: Facebook

Crown prosecutor Deone Provera told the court during his opening address Mr Earle had begun working for Mr Solan – who also went by the alias “Max” – selling cannabis around April 2020, initially as a delivery driver.

According to the Crown case, Mr Earle became more involved in the business, taking on a role described as “admin”, in which he would take orders via an encrypted iPhone app and manage a roster of drivers and other admin people.

Customers could view a Facebook account featuring the various strains and amounts available, the court heard.

It is alleged Mr Earle also began sourcing cannabis from Mr Solan at “worker’s prices” and selling to customers of his own.

Mr Provera said on the night of the alleged stabbing, a fight broke out between Mr Earle and Mr Solan, during which the Irishman was hurt.

Defence barrister Josh Brock told the court Mr Solan’s attack on Mr Earle was “serious and vicious” and said it left holes in the walls of the apartment and Mr Earle with injuries including a large gash on his head and a dislocated elbow.

Mr Provera said Mr Earle then contacted friend John Dunlea, who was at a nearby unit along with Patrick Farrell and Christopher Morrison, to render assistance to handle Mr Solan.

All three of the men, who are also Irish, attended the unit where Mr Solan was standing on the balcony, the court heard.

Oliver Solan was found in a hallway of the unit block with a serious stab wound and a partially severed left ear. Picture: 7 News

Mr Provera told the court Mr Solan attempted to escape the unit by running through the men but was unable and was thrown to the floor.

He was then kicked and punched by the men and Mr Earle allegedly went to the kitchen to retrieve a knife.

Mr Earle is accused of then stabbing Mr Solan in the torso with the knife, creating a six centimetre wound which pierced his spleen and part of his lung, Mr Provera said.

The three other Irishmen and Mr Earle all then allegedly left the apartment.

Neighbours called triple-0 and paramedics arrived to find Mr Solan collapsed in a hallway with serious injuries.

He was treated at the scene before being moved to St Vincent’s Hospital, where part of his spleen was removed.

Mr Provera told the court Mr Solan later left Australia and is believed to be in the United Kingdom. He will not provide evidence in the trial.

While recovering in hospital, he told investigators he had no recollection of the alleged bashing.

The Randwick unit block where Mr Solan was allegedly stabbed by Mr Earle. Picture: 9 News

Mr Provera told the court, Mr Earle was arrested in the vicinity of the unit block, near which police also located a Louis Vuitton bag.

In the bag was a drug ledger with records of cannabis supply over a period of roughly two months, along with Mr Earle’s passport and drivers licence, the court heard.

Prosecutors allege the records show Mr Earle was party to supplying over 80kg of cannabis.

A commercial quantity of cannabis in NSW is considered to be more than 25kg.

Defence lawyer Josh Brock said Mr Earle had become associated with Mr Solan through his use of cannabis and cocaine and had began to sell the drugs to fund his own habits.

“He was making poor choices in terms of using drugs such as cocaine and cannabis,” Mr Brock said.

“Perhaps unsurprisingly, given those poor choices, he made more poor choices.”

The trial continues.