Anthony Stokes' father denies 'demanding with menaces' charge

A publican and two other men have gone on trial accused of demanding another pub close within 24 hours.

John Stokes (aged 55), the father of Republic of Ireland and Celtic forward Anthony Stokes, who owns The Players Lounge in Fairview, Daryl Mulcahy (aged 21) of Matt Talbot Court and Derek Nolan (aged 30) from north Dublin have pleaded not guilty to demanding with menaces that Shane Simpson close the Castle Inn public house in Summerhill “within 24 hours” on March 13, 2011.

Mr Stokes, who has an address in the UK, also pleaded not guilty to assault on Shane Simpson at the Castle Inn on the same date.

In his opening speech, prosecuting counsel Paul Carroll BL told the jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that they will hear evidence that Mr Stokes called at the Castle Inn three times in one day.

He said Shane Simpson was working as a barman on the day when Mr Stokes told him: “I want yis out of there and if you’re not out by Paddy’s Day, you and the pub are gone.”

During a second visit on the same day Mr Stokes allegedly punched Shane Simpson in the chest.

Counsel said that during a third visit Mr Stokes was accompanied by Mr Nolan and Mr Mulcahy. On this occasion Mr Stokes allegedly told the barman: “You’re fronting the pub for O’Reilly. We’re giving you 24 hours to close the pub down, 24 hours and that’s the end of you.”

Mr Carroll said Mr Nolan and Mr Mulcahy then chased Shane Simpson down the road until they were spotted by two gardaí on patrol.

Shane Simpson gave evidence that during the first visit Mr Stokes was accompanied by a man who is now deceased and a third person he didn’t recognise. He said Mr Stokes asked to speak to his brother Stephen, who owned the Castle Inn.

Stephen Simpson arrived shortly afterwards to speak to Mr Stokes. The witness said they had a conversation and that after Mr Stokes left, Stephen looked “shaken”.

Shane Simpson told the court that he later closed the pub early and was outside when he saw Mr Stokes arrive again in a taxi.

He again asked to speak to Stephen and Shane responded that he was not there. He asked the accused what he wanted and Mr Stokes replied that it was about video footage.

Mr Stokes then allegedly said that he believed Stephen “was fronting the pub for O’Reilly.” The men then began shouting at each other and Shane pushed Mr Stokes.

Mr Stokes allegedly responded by punching Shane in the chest before leaving in the taxi.

The witness said Mr Stokes returned a third time accompanied by the other two accused and the deceased man. They said they wanted to see Stephen because they had received threatening phone calls from the Castle Inn.

Shane Simpson told the jury that he was confused and said to Mr Nolan that he “didn’t know what this was all about.” He said they asked him to ring his brother and that the deceased man then took his phone.

He said all four men got back in the car and that he walked a few metres up the road. He said when the car passed him he gave “the fingers” to Nolan and shouted a remark about his facial tattoo.

He said Mr Nolan and Mr Mulcahy then got out and started chasing him.

The trial continues before Judge Carmel Stewart and a jury of eight men and four women.