Collins faces retrial over assault claim

Former world champion boxer Steve Collins was told today he will stand retrial later this year on a charge of assaulting a bouncer.

The Irish middleweight was in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for a brief hearing that decided his case would be heard again on October 19 – almost three and a half years after the alleged offence.

Collins, aged 44, of St Albans, Hertfordshire, England, is accused of assaulting 37-year-old Albanian national Adriatik Vodo, causing him harm, on June 3 2006 at Dublin’s National Stadium.

He denied the charge.

After a six-day trial last November, and four hours of deliberations, a jury failed to reach a verdict.

Collins was commentating on a bout featuring Dubliner Bernard Dunne for the national broadcaster RTÉ at the stadium when the incident occurred.

Mr Vodo claimed he was punched by the champion fighter when he stopped him entering a door used by the media because he did not have an official pass.

Collins claimed he was acting in self-defence after the bouncer lunged at him.

Mr Vodo has since launched a civil case against the former champion.

Today Sean Gillane, representing the State, told Judge Katherine Delahunt the Director of Public Prosecutions was seeking a retrial.

The boxer, who wore a suit, did not speak during the short hearing and was not asked to enter a plea.

The court heard the new trial was expected to last four days, shorter than the last one which was delayed by issues over an interpreter.

Collins, who was known as the Celtic Warrior, was crowned world super middleweight champion following his win over Chris Eubank in 1995. He won 36 out of 39 fights during his career.

He was remanded on continuing bail.