Deadline set for book of evidence in Stokes case

A judge has given the State a final chance to complete a book of evidence in the case of Dublin pub owner John Stokes who is accused of threatening another publican to stop trading.

The 54 year-old, father of Celtic striker Anthony Stokes, and owner of the Players Lounge pub in Fairview, appeared again at Dublin District Court today, along with three co-defendants.

He and Alan Ryan (aged 30) of Grange Abbey Drive, Donaghmede, Dublin, Daryl Mulcahy (aged 19) with an address at Matt Talbot Court, Dublin and Derek Nolan (aged 29), from Seacliff Road, in Baldoyle, Dublin, had been charged in May under Section 17 of the Public Order Act.

The charges allege they made a demand with menaces, on March 13 last, to Shane Simpson, the former leaseholder of the Castle public house, in Summerhill, in the north inner city Dublin, to cease trading and “close within 24 hours”.

Additional charges have also been brought against Mr Stokes for possessing two stun guns at his pub on April 8 and assaulting Shane Simpson at the Players Lounge, on March 13 last.

The DPP has directed trial on indictment in relation to the four defendants who are to be tried in the Circuit Court.

However, before being returned for trial they must be served with a book of evidence which Judge Hugh O'Donnell heard today was not yet completed.

The State asked for a two-week adjournment to which defence solicitor Michael Finucane consented, but he asked that the case would be marked “peremptory against the State”.

Judge O'Donnell agreed which means the case could be struck out if the book of evidence is not ready to be served on the four defendants when they appear again on January 20 next.

All four are subject to bail conditions stating that they cannot associate with each other and must stay away from Shane Simpson as well as his brother Stephen Simpson, and staff from the Castle pub.