Collins: I acted in self-defence

Former boxing world champion Steve Collins has claimed in evidence at this trial for assaulting a National Stadium bouncer that he acted totally in self-defence.

Mr Collins (aged 44) of St Albans, Hertfordshire, England has pleaded not guilty to assaulting Albanian national, Mr Adrialik Voda, when he was refused entry at the stadium on June 3, 2006.

Mr Collins told his defence counsel, Mr Martin Dully BL, that he had taken a short break from his work position and was blocked by Mr Voda when he went to return just before the next fight he was to do the commentary on.

He said Mr Voda twice pushed him back with "a belt on the chest" when he went to return through the door from which he had exited a few minutes previously and "just totally ignored people who had gathered around telling him, 'that's Steve Collins,' and he's working for RTÉ."

Mr Collins said he tried to point out to Mr Voda that his jacket was inside the door at the commentary position and that the people who had gathered included the "head of security" who explained that he (accused) was working for RTÉ but that Mr Voda wasn't listening to anybody.

"He was becoming more and more aggressive and menacing knew from his body language through the experience of my career over 25 years that he was going to assault me," he said.

Mr Collins said that Mr Voda then "made a lunge at me" and he struck out at him in self-defence.

He told Mr Dully also that he had passed in and out through the particular door several times, had not been given a stamp on his hand and hadn't been stopped. There was nobody on duty when he exited for a short break due to the heat inside the stadium at the commentary position.

The trial continues at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Desmond Hogan and a jury of ten men and two women.