A man is behind bars accused of killing his ‘larrikin’ father in a bloody confrontation at an outback roadside bar.
John Matthew Gallagher, 27, appeared at Perth Magistrates Court via video link on Sunday in relation to the death of his father Dean Thomas Gallagher, 51.
Emergency services were called to the BP Roadhouse near Salmon Gums, 106km north of Esperance, WA, early on Friday morning.
Gallagher, 51, was found seriously injured and could not be revived at the scene, prompting a homicide investigation.
Following investigations, his son John Matthew Gallagher was arrested on Saturday and charged with murder.
The following morning he appeared in court in Perth via video link from Esperance.
Local news reports alleged that Gallagher called the police himself to inform them that his father was injured and bleeding profusely.
It is also alleged that his father suffered injuries to his leg, according to Seven news.
‘Deano’ Gallagher allegedly murdered by his own son at a Western Australian service station
A confrontational video circulated online that appeared to show the disturbing consequences.
Gallagher was remanded to appear at a future hearing at Stirling Gardens Magistrates’ Court on October 30.
His father Dean had listed the Salmon Gum roadside bar online as his last place of work.
Tributes have flooded social media with friends remembering his partner ‘Deano’ as a ‘larrikin, a muso and an adventurer’.
“I don’t even have words to explain how much you meant to us, but you knew it,” one friend wrote.
His friends remembered Mr Gallagher as a ‘larrikin’ who would ‘light up everywhere he went’.
‘We have memories we can cherish, but that doesn’t seem like enough. We will always miss you, we will always love you and we will never forget you.’
Another added: “You were an amazing man, you always brought joy wherever you went.”
