Adelaide pub basher found not guilty of manslaughter

A 21-year-old man has been found not guilty of manslaughter over the death of 46-year-old Julian Irish, who died after being hit outside a pub in Adelaide's north in June last year. 

Lachlan McCluskey was involved in a violent incident outside the Slug 'n' Lettuce pub at Parafield Gardens while both men were waiting for a ride-share vehicle. 

Police had found Irish with serious injuries on the night, after a drunken argument that ended with McCluskey punching him. Irish was taken to hospital but died of his injuries. 

McCluskey claimed he was in fear of his safety as he was recovering from a jaw operation that left him with metal plates in his head. 

"The accused found himself in circumstances where he was unexpectedly confronted with physical aggression by an older, taller and heavier man who was a stranger and intoxicated," Judge Chapman said. 

"I cannot exclude the possibility that the accused genuinely believed his punch was necessary and reasonable for a defensive purpose. 

"I do not consider it can be safely said that at the time of the accused's punch the deceased had ceased his attack upon the accused or his aggression had abated." 

The victim's 17-year-old daughter Brooke Irish said “this sort of thing happens way too often”. 

“This case is obviously really devastating for everyone, but it happens way too often, and I think something should change,” she told the ABC. 

Sheridan Randall, 5^th August 2021