Irish footballer ‘lost it’ when bouncer insulted him
Wimbledon player Byrne, 21, said bouncer Trevor Thirlwall, 28, insulted him for being Irish and then punched him several times in the head in an unprovoked assault.
The defender admitted throwing a bottle in the street afterwards, but claimed it was because he was “frustrated and angry” after being attacked and denied aiming it at anyone. Byrne is accused of attacking Mr Thirlwall with his friends, Chelsea stars John Terry and Jody Morris, at the exclusive Wellington club in Knightsbridge, central London, on January 4. Terry is accused of glassing Mr Thirlwall in the face during the attack, alleged to have been launched after the players were ejected from the club for unruly behaviour.
