TWO brothers sat, heads hung, in the dock of the Cairns Magistrates' Court yesterday.

They were both charged with grievous bodily harm after an alleged brawl at Cutters Social Club in Bentley Park on Saturday night.

While they sat in the courtroom, the 35-year-old man they were accused of bashing was on life support at Cairns Base Hospital.

Bradley Michael Jackson and Daniel Paul Jackson, 25 and 23, were both granted bail by Magistrate Robert Spencer yesterday morning.

They left court flanked by their family and friends, but did not attempt to hide their faces.

Police prosecutor Sgt Mark White earlier told the court that at the close of the evening on Saturday, Bradley Jackson allegedly became involved in a scuffle, and the 35-year-old man had been knocked to the floor.

Sgt White said when the man began to get up, Daniel Jackson allegedly punched him in the head and the man fell and hit his head on a bar stool.

He said both defendants declined to be formally interviewed by police and bail was opposed because of the seriousness of the offence.

The Jacksons’ solicitors, Philip Bovey and Stephen O’Reilly, said the brothers moved to Cairns in 2002, with Bradley now engaged to be married, and Daniel a recently qualified cabinet maker.

"With regard to my client (Bradley Jackson), this is a charge that will be vigorously defended," Mr Bovey said.

He said the complainant and the brothers appeared to be part of a "broader social group" who were together at the Fretwell Park social club.

Mr O’Reilly said both men had considerable family support and were not a flight risk.

Magistrate Spencer said it was quite clear both defendants lived locally and had strong ties to the area.

He saw no reason to refuse bail, but ordered the men to have no contact, directly or indirectly, with the complainant.

The matter will next be mentioned on September 29, but the defendants are not required to appear.

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