A 21-year-old Wexford man is fighting for his life having been stabbed in the neck with a carving knife during a row in Perth, Australia.

Kenny Meyler, from the well-known Meyler family in Wexford town, is in a critical condition at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth, after being stabbed during a fight in the Scarborough area of the city, which took place at around 2 pm on Sunday.

The son of Melanie Meyler and Dermot Moloney and grandson of Seán and Una Meyler was working in Perth where he was living with friends.

Like many young Wexford men his age, Mr. Meyler travelled to Australia for work and to achieve a better quality of life.

Police in Perth received reports on Sunday of three to four men fighting at around 2 pm. Inspector David Picton-King said Mr. Meyler was kicked, punched and stabbed during the frenzied attack.

Local media said another man had a bottle smashed over his head during the fight.

Insp. Picton-King said the men had been drinking and that there were several witnesses. Police also said one of the witnesses recorded the stabbing on their mobile phone.

A 32-year-old man has since been arrested and charged with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He is due to appear at Perth Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday).

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is providing consular assistance to Mr. Meyler’s family, who are very well known in musical and dramatic circles in the town.

Western Australia Police said they are continuing to look for witnesses to the fight on Helmsley Street.

“In particular, we would like to hear from a person that contacted the Police Assistance Centre about an incident and is believed to have recorded some of the events on their phone,” a police statement said.

It is understood that Mr. Meyler’s mother Melanie has flown out to be by his side and that he is currently in a coma.

Friends of Mr. Meyler were shocked to the core by the attack.

One local woman whose son is in Perth told this newspaper: “I just can’t get the chap out of my mind. My son phoned to let us know that he is in a coma and that there are fears for his condition when he comes out of it (because of the severity of the injury). It is such a shock to them all. The chap went over for a new life and this is what happened!”

The fun loving Wexford man was believed to have been out socialising when the incident took place. It is not yet known if any other Wexford men were injured in the brawl.