A Sydney man will serve up to 13 years in jail for his role in the brutal bashing of an Irishman in the city's eastern suburbs three years ago.

David Keohane was 100 metres from his Coogee home when he was attacked by Thomas Isaako and Kane Tupuolamoui in August 2008.

The pair hit the Irishman in the head around 14 times before taking his wallet and phone and leaving him lying on the footpath.

Mr Keohane was unconscious for 31 weeks after the attack, and is now wheelchair bound with a severe brain injury.

Kane Tupuolamoui faced sentencing this morning for robbery and inflicting grievous bodily harm.

The magistrate told the court the fact Tupuolamoui had taken ecstasy and alcohol on the night of the bashing did not excuse his behaviour.

Tupuolamoui sat in the dock with his head bowed as the sentence was read.

He will be eligible for release in 2018.

Last year Thomas Isaako was sentenced to 19 years in jail over the attack, with a non-parole period of 14 years.