Popstar on assault charge escapes jail term

One member of boyband Five has appeared before Dublin District Court in connection with a fight in a pub in the capital last December.

21-year-old Richard Dobson has been given the benefit of the Probation Act after charges of being drunk and disorderly and using threatening language.

He also voluntarily gave £3,000 to the court poor box.

His co-accused, fellow band member Jason Brown, did not appear in court as his mother is gravely ill.

October 10 has been set as the date for his next appearance.