Pub bashing accused found not guilty of manslaughter over Slug ‘n’ Lettuce attack

A man charged over the bashing death of a man outside a British-themed pub in Adelaide’s north two years ago has been found not guilty of manslaughter.

Lachlan McCluskey, 21, had faced a trial by judge alone in the South Australian District Court over the death of 46-year-old Julian Irish. 

He had been accused of punching Mr Irish after an altercation while both men waited outside the Slug ‘n’ Lettuce pub at Parafield Gardens for a ride-share vehicle.

His defence lawyer had previously told the court his “aggression was informed” by an operation he had two weeks earlier, which left metal plates and screws in his head.

More to come.