Star hurler hit man after being goaded in pub, court hears

WATERFORD hurler John Mullane assaulted a pool player in a pub after being goaded by a group of men, including one who threatened to kill him, a court heard yesterday.

The former All-Star was playing pool with David Keating in the Pulpit Bar, Waterford, on St Stephen's Day, 2002. He admitted he snapped and struck him in the face while holding a pint glass in his hand.

The 25-year-old hurling forward had been taunted and goaded by several men for up to an hour before the incident, Waterford Circuit Court heard yesterday.

Mullane, of 19 Oriel Square, Waterford, has pleaded not guilty to assault and yesterday Mr Keating told the court he did not want to pursue the matter, saying he had made peace with the defendant.

"I already withdrew my statement around five days after I made it," he said. "I've sorted out my differences with John. I don't want my family and friends going through this. John Mullane has learnt his lesson and I want to get on with my life."

In a statement to gardaí days after the incident, Mullane admitted hitting Mr Keating. He said the men playing pool were constantly "taking the mick" out of him. "As he (David Keating) was taking his last shot, I snapped," Mullane said in his garda statement which was read in court.

"I was taking a drink from my pint and I just snapped and hit him a dig in the face and the glass was in my hand. In no way did I have any intention of hitting him with the glass. And if I hit him with the glass, I am sorry for doing so," he said.

James Skelton was among four men playing pool in the pub. His brother, Andrew, was also with them. He said a disagreement arose over whose turn it was to play.

"David Keating was part of our group. Dave was about to put his money into the slot in the pool table but John Mullane glassed him and ran off.

"It was a spur of the moment thing. I don't think he set out to do it. My brother, Andrew, was a nurse and knew what to do.

There was blood everywhere blood was running down his face," he said.

Mr Skelton admitted his brother was being particularly verbally aggressive towards Mr Mullane. He admitted that his brother said something like: "You think you're great just because you're a hurler. But you're a nobody." He said such exchanges went on for a half hour or longer.

He said they had all had too much to drink.

He also said his brother had threatened to kill Mr Mullane. "He said: 'I'll take you outside and I'll kill you.'"

He admitted his brother had been goading Mullane into trying to get him to punch him. And he admitted his brother had said: "Let him have a game; I'll whip his f**king ass anyway."

The case, before Judge Michael O'Shea and a jury of seven men and five women, continues this morning.