<\/p>\n
Without commentary, I present:<\/p>\n
AN 80-year-old retired priest allegedly bit an ear off another elderly clergyman during a violent brawl over a parking bay in their block of units.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The brawl occurred in an Australian retirement home for former priests, funded by the Catholic church.<\/p>\n
Father Thomas Henry Byrne appeared in court yesterday charged with grievous bodily harm over the incident involving his neighbour, 81-year-old Father Thomas Joseph Cameron Smith.<\/p>\n
According to police, after the brawl Father Byrne told Father Smith to pick up an item up on the ground.<\/p>\n
It was not until Father Smith returned to his unit that he realised the item he had picked up and put in his pocket was his right ear.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
They appeared to have argued over a parking spot.<\/div>\n\n\nMagistrate Greg Benn imposed strict bail conditions on Father Byrne, including not going within 10m of Father Smith, nor acting in a violent or threatening manner towards him or attempting to communicate with him.<\/p>\n
He was released on bail to appear at Perth Magistrates Court on December 7 to allow him to seek further legal advice.<\/p>\n
A neighbour living in the Chester Ave complex said he was “shocked” to learn about the fight yesterday.<\/p>\n
“I was shocked because we’re all in our 80s and retired priests,” he said. “It’s very quiet, although they are always driving in and out of the complex.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n