Louis Walsh denies claims of assault in nightclub

GARDAÍ are investigating an alleged assault by pop promoter Louis Walsh on a man in a Dublin city nightclub.

Details of the incident, alleged to have happened on April 10 after a Westlife gig, emerged yesterday in newspaper reports.

The man behind Westlife and other pop bands such as Boyzone and Girls Aloud was quoted yesterday as saying the allegations were “wholly false” and without foundation.

He told the Irish Sun that he would be cooperating fully with gardaí and was “100% confident” that he would be exonerated after a full investigation was conducted.

The alleged incident is understood to have occurred in the early hours of April 10. It is thought that Louis Walsh went to the Russell Court Hotel, near St Stephen’s Green, after attending a concert by Westlife.

It is reported that the X-Factor judge socialised in the hotel’s private Global Bar before heading to the hotel’s nightclub, Krystle, which is frequented by the city’s celebrity circle.

It is understood that the alleged attack happened in the nightclub.

The alleged victim complained to gardaí about the incident and an investigation was set up.

A Garda spokesman yesterday confirmed they were investigating an alleged attack at the nightclub on the night in question, but declined to comment on the identities involved.

“We have a report of an alleged assault in a nightclub in Dublin and we are conducting an investigation,” said a spokesman.

Detectives from Harcourt Terrace Garda Station have begun an investigation and are understood to have taken a statement from the alleged victim.

Officers will then try and identify who else was in the pub and nightclub on the night.

They may seek to speak to them in a bid to determine what happened during the course of the night and if they can confirm the claims made by the alleged victim.

Officers will also examine CCTV footage inside and outside the popular Harcourt Street premises.

Once this aspect of their investigation is complete they may seek to speak to Mr Walsh and take a statement from him.

Garda sources have stressed the complaint is still an allegation, which they are now investigating.

At some stage, a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions who will determine whether or not any charges should be brought.

Mr Walsh became a judge on X-Factor in 2004, alongside Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne.