An Irishman has appeared in a New York court charged in connection with the death of another Irishman last November.

25-year-old Dubliner Steven O’Brien is charged with assaulting 21-year old John McGee from County Longford.

Mr McGee, who would have turned 22 today, was found unconscious outside the Gaslight Bar in Queens in the early hours of the morning on November 22nd.

He was later pronounced dead at Elmhurst Hospital in New York.

According to the criminal complaint, Mr O’ Brien is accused of throwing the punch that led to Mr McGee falling and hitting his head on the ground.

He is charged with third-degree assault and, if convicted, could face up to a year in prison.

Members of both men’s families were in the courthouse for today’s hearing.

The court heard the Queens District Attorney’s office was not yet ready to take the case to trial – and Mr O’Brien has not been offered plea deal.

Mr O’Brien was released on a bail bond of $25,000 (€21,900) and is due back in court on February 21st.