Soccer star Stokes charged with attacking man at nightclub

Republic of Ireland and Celtic football star Anthony Stokes has appeared in court accused of attacking a man in a Dublin nightclub last year.

The striker was brought before Dublin District Court yesterday afternoon to face a charge under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act.

Mr Stokes, aged 25, who is from Dublin, is accused of assault causing harm to Elvis impersonator Anthony Bradley, at Buck Whaley’s on Leeson St, on June 8 last year.

The striker, who had been in the squad for Wednesday night’s international friendly against Serbia, met investigating gardaí by appointment in Dublin yesterday.

He was arrested at 1.47pm and then taken to the Bridewell Garda station in the city centre where the charge was put to him.

From there he was brought to appear before Judge Michael Walsh at Dublin District Court.

Dressed in a grey, hooded jacket, blue jeans, and runners, he sat silently as Garda Noel Gibbons told the court that the footballer “made no reply to caution” after he was charged.

He also agreed with defence solicitor Michael Staines that Mr Stokes had been met by appointment and said “so far, yes”, when asked if the footballer had co-operated with the investigation.

Detective Garda Des Rogers, who is also involved in the prosecution, told Judge Walsh that the DPP has directed “summary disposal”. This means it has been recommended that the case should stay in the jurisdiction of the district court and not be sent forward to the circuit court, which has tougher sentencing powers.

Det Garda Rogers also told the court that “there is a large amount of disclosure which has been served” and that a lengthy remand was needed.

Mr Staines, who agreed, asked for the case to be put back until May 29 and Judge Walsh granted an adjournment until that date.

Judge Walsh was given a note detailing Mr Stokes’ address and he also noted from Det Garda Rogers that bail conditions were not required.

However the judge told Mr Stokes, who lives at Bellhaven Terrace, Glasgow, Scotland, that he must appear in court on every occasion until this matter has been disposed of and he added that the 25-year-old must “provide details of your mobile phone number to prosecution authorities”.

The DPP has directed that the case is suitable to be dealt with at district court level, which on conviction can impose a sentence of up to 12 months and or a fine for assault causing harm.

However, no evidence in relation to the alleged incident has been given and the Celtic star, who did not address the court during the brief hearing, has not yet indicated how he will plead.