Former Dublin manager Caffrey urged player to apologise to victim
Gda Caffrey was giving evidence on the third day of the trial of former Dublin player Brendan McManamon, 30, who is accused of breaking an off-duty garda’s jaw on the pitch.
Mr McManamon, of Camden St, Dublin 8, pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm to former Longford player Garda Enda Ledwith at Na Fianna GAA Club, St Mobhi Rd, Glasnevin, on March 31, 2012.
Gda Ledwith was playing for home team Na Fianna, while the accused was playing for St Jude’s of Templeogue.
Gda Caffrey told prosecuting counsel Diarmaid Collins BL he had selected Mr McManamon to play for Dublin during his time as county manager.
Gda Caffrey was a spectator at the game in question and did not see the incident.
He said he heard the whistle being blown and when he turned around he saw Mr Ledwith on his knees and Mr McManamon being spoken to by the referee and then being sent off.
Gda Caffrey said he went down to Mr Ledwith, as he looked in quite a distressed state, and saw his jaw was misaligned and there was damage done.
He said he had a chat with Mr McManamon, who asked him if he could apologise.
When Gda Caffrey said “You haven’t done so?” and the accused replied no, Gda Caffrey told him it would be a “good idea” to go to the ambulance.
“It’s always part of the game that you shake hands with opponents at the end of a game, whether you win or lose or draw,” he told the court.
The court also heard from Finbarr Shanahan, the referee, who said he saw the accused strike Gda Ledwith to the face.
Mr Shanahan said about 10 minutes before the end, he heard a verbal altercation and looked over his shoulder.
Mr Shanahan said he saw Mr McManamon had hit Mr Ledwith to the side of his face “with a closed fist”, and that he blew the whistle and issued a red card to the accused for striking with the hand.
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