A YOUNG Irish couple have been charged over the alleged stabbing of a man in Sydney who was found lying in an apartment hallway with a partially severed ear.
Patrick Earle, 23, from Kilkenny and girlfriend Katie Murtaugh, 26, from Dublin, are in custody after shocked neighbours discovered 30-year-old Oliver Solan bleeding in the corridor.
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As the couple appeared to face charges, the court was told that Earle could face a maximum of 25 years in prison if convicted.
Cops have alleged Earle was involved in an argument with Mr Solan before a group of men were called to the flats via text message and a fight broke out.
The gang, also believed to be Irish, arrived and Murtagh allegedly let them in before going to hide in a bedroom.
Police suspect Earle stabbed Mr Solan during the alleged fight, severing his ear in the process.
Distressed neighbours called the police after finding Mr Solan with multiple stab wounds to his head and body.
Paramedics rushed him to Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery and remains in a serious condition.
Daily Mail Australia reported that Earle, Murtagh and Solan had been boozing together at an eastern suburbs pub earlier that night before returning to the couple’s apartment.
The glamorous Irish couple were arrested in a nearby street shortly after the wounded man was discovered.
The four other men remain on the run with New South Wales Police now appealing for public assistance to track them down.
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Police bodycam footage shows the moment officers scoured the apartment block looking for the suspects.
The clip showed blood splattered walls and Mr Solan lying slumped in a corridor before he was taken out on a stretcher.
Video shows cops running through nearby streets and jumping fences in the desperate search for the people involved.
Footage shows Earle being handcuffed and put into the back of an ambulance.
He was taken to Prince of Wales Hospital for treatment for an arm injury before he was charged with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Murtagh was arrested a short time later and charged with aiding and abetting to wound a person.
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Appearing in court via video link, Earle sat quietly wearing a hospital gown, with a bandage over his left ear.
The court was told he is facing a maximum of 25 years in prison if convicted, with a standard non-parole period of seven years.
The court heard how Murtagh let the gang into the flat and then hid in the bedroom.
She later allegedly dragged the barely conscious victim into the hallway before fleeing the scene.
Along with her boyfriend, she will be held in custody until October 27.
Photos on social media photos show the Irish couple partying in Sydney.
Murtagh and Earle are pictured at waterfalls and going on walks exploring in the woods surrounding the harbour city together.
Other images show them dressed up with pals and going to festivals.
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Source: The Sun
