Irish duo face murder charge over assault

Two Irish nationals are now facing murder charges after a man assaulted in Sydney's inner west died in hospital.

Christopher McLaughlin, 24, and Nathan Kelly 21, were charged with reckless grievous bodily harm in company and affray after emergency services found the 66-year-old injured on the side of the road at Summer Hill on December 29.

Paramedics treated the man at the scene before he was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a critical condition.

He died on Monday night.

Police have upgraded the charges against McLaughlin and Kelly to murder.

They remain behind bars and are expected to appear at Burwood Local Court on Wednesday.