Stokes' father faces threat charge

The father of Celtic star Anthony Stokes has been charged in court over allegations he threatened a business rival.

Pub owner John Stokes was brought before a special sitting of Dublin District Court this morning where he was accused of ordering another publican, with menace, to cease trading within 24 hours.

The 54-year-old, who runs the sports bar Players Lounge in Fairview, north Dublin, surrendered at a Garda station on Friday afternoon.

It is believed Stokes was in Scotland at the Hearts v Celtic match when his pub and home were searched on Thursday and he presented himself to Garda officers on his return. It was the second time he has been arrested in recent weeks.

During a brief court appearance, Stokes was charged with making a demand with menaces on March 13 to Shane Simpson, the former lease-holder of the Castle public house, in Summerhill, in the north inner city.

The charge, under Section 17 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, also states that this was to gain for yourself or another, or to cause loss to another, made an unwarranted demand to cease trading in the Castle Public House and close within 24 hours.

Three other Dublin men arrested during the raids appeared in court on Friday and were charged with the same public order offence.

They are Alan Ryan, 30, of Grange Abbey Drive, Donaghmede; Daryl Mulcahy, 20, of Matt Talbot Court; and Derek Nolan, 29, from Seacliff Road, in Baldoyle.

All four have been remanded on bail to June 24.

Last month, Stokes, his wife Joan Stokes, 55, mother of the Hoops striker, as well as the footballer’s uncle, Paul Byrne, 46, were arrested after bullets, cocaine and three stun guns were discovered in a shed at the back of his pub.

All three were later released without charge and a file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Three men, including a doorman and two customers, were gunned down outside the Players Lounge in July last year.

Earlier this year, Stokes was ordered to remove a massive 40ft banner barring the Queen from his pub during next week’s historic state visit.

He said he reluctantly agreed to take down the banner after a senior garda threatened to object to his application for late licences.