THE family of a Cork man who died in a screwdriver stabbing in Australia have said they are heartbroken at the not guilty verdict handed down at his murder trial.

Fisherman Andrew Doan, aged 35, was found not guilty last Friday of murdering Cork father-of-two, Charlie McCarthy, in Perth in December 2017.

Mr Doan was accused of fatally stabbing Mr McCarthy, aged 32, in the head with a screwdriver during a fracas next to Perth’s Swan River, but jurors found him not guilty of both murder and manslaughter.

In a statement, the family of Mr McCarthy, from Upper Aghada, said they are devastated by the not guilty verdict and heartbroken at the portrayal of Charlie during the trial.

“The McCarthy family’s lives have been torn apart since the horrific death of Charlie.”

“The McCarthy family feel that the judicial system in Perth let Charlie down,” the statement added. “The family are horrified by the way Charlie was portrayed. Charlie was a very hardworking, gentle, fun loving, even-tempered and a real family man.

“Charlie was one of seven children to Margaret and Charles McCarthy. He was very close with his entire family and would ring his mother on a daily basis.

“He was a very keen GAA follower, especially of his beloved Aghada GAA Club. He had a special interest in his twin sister’s football matches and would contact regularly for updates.

“On the unfortunate night of December 23, 2017, Charlie was on a very rare night out with his wife which resulted in him being the victim of a fatal stabbing.

“Charlie has left behind two beautiful children, a wonderful wife, mother, father and six siblings. The McCarthy family’s lives have changed forever, they will be eternally heartbroken.”

The McCarthy family want to emphasise that Mr Doan admitted at the trial that he threatened to “stab” Charlie during the incident.

The trial heard how Doan had been fishing in the early hours of December 23, when Mr McCarthy, his wife Nicole and friend Jason Mikel Curran walked by and an argument erupted over a “throw-away comment”.

Mr Doan said he panicked, reached into his hoodie pocket, pulled out a screwdriver, held it above his head, saying: “Get back or I’ll stab you.”

Doan said that as he retreated to his car, he had a scuffle with Mr Curran and Mr McCarthy.

He said Mr McCarthy then charged and moved to punch him and impaled himself on the screwdriver, which Doan was still holding. He claimed it was self-defence.