Man in court accused of murdering two men at first birthday party

A man charged with the murder of two men at a first birthday party is withdrawing from drugs, his lawyer has told a court.

Joel Fitzgerald, 30, is charged over the deaths of the men, aged 23 and 54, at a home in Melbourne's south-east on January 16.

Police were called to reports of an altercation at Clyde North home and found the pair with stab wounds to their upper bodies, Victoria Police said.

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Dieter and Karl Gruber, both from Seaford and reportedly father and son, received medical treatment but died at the home.

At the time, Superintendent Janet Stevenson said about 20 people were attending the first birthday party when an argument started, turned into a brawl and spilled out into the street.

Fitzgerald, who has no fixed address, was arrested in Doveton yesterday.

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During a brief hearing today, his lawyer told Melbourne Magistrates Court her client was withdrawing from GHB and methamphetamine.

She said he also suffered from chest pain he believes may be from a pre-existing injury and had been prescribed an antidepressant.

Magistrate Carrie O'Shea granted the prosecution's request for more time than usual to provide the hand-up brief due to transcripts involved.

Fitzgerald was not able to apply for bail and was remanded in custody until his next court appearance in April.

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