Republic of Ireland and Celtic striker Anthony Stokes headbutted and injured a man during a row about a spilled drink in a Dublin nightclub, a court has heard.
The football star had been originally charged in March and made his second appearance at Dublin District Court today where Judge Conal Gibbons asked to hear an outline of the prosecution’s evidence.
Mr Stokes (25), who is from Dublin, is facing claims he committed an offence under under Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act. He is accused of assault causing harm to a man named Anthony Bradley, at Buck Whaley’s, on Leeson Street, on June 8th last year.
The DPP had directed “summary disposal” meaning the district court would be a suitable trial venue. However, Judge Gibbons did not agree.
After he heard a summary of the allegations and read medical reports on the complainant’s injuries, he held the case was too serious to be dealt with at district court level which, on conviction, can impose a maximum sentence of 12 months for the alleged offence.
This means Mr Stokes could now be facing trial before a judge and jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which has tougher sentencing powers.
Judge Gibbons said that as a result of his decision further directions from the DPP may be required.
The footballer was accompanied to the preliminary hearing by his father John Stokes who sat in the public gallery. Dressed in a dark suit, the Celtic player did not address the court and sat silently as an outline of the prosecution’s evidence was given.
The striker has not yet entered a plea to the charge and was remanded on continuing bail to appear again in July after the judge ruled that it would not be appropriate for the case to be heard in the district court.
At the outset of the proceedings today, defence solicitor Michael Staines said the DPP has directed “summary disposal” and it was now up to the presiding judge to consider whether or not he would accept jurisdiction.
In evidence, Det Garda Des Rogers told Judge Gibbons it would be alleged that on June 8th, 2013, at Buck Whaley’s nightclub, “another unknown individual spilled a drink on the injured party and it is alleged Mr Stokes intervened and headbutted the injured party”.
Two medical reports were then handed into court for the judge to inspect.
Refusing jurisdiction Judge Gibbons said: “I have to say to you that based on these medical reports I do not think it is a minor offence.”
The details of the man’s injuries were not read out in court but the judge said that if they were such as described in the reports, “to my mind this is not a suitable case for the district court”.
“This is a court of summary jurisdiction, I’m going to refuse jurisdiction, I do not think it is an appropriate case,” Judge Gibbons added.
Mr Stokes, who lives at Bellhaven Terrace, Glasgow, was remanded on continuing bail to appear again on July 17th, “for DPP directions”.
Mr Staines asked for permission to be let apply to the court for his client to be excused from attending the proceedings on the next date in light of his occupation. Judge Gibbons allowed it but specified that seven days’ notice must be given.
Mr Stokes had originally met investigating gardaí by appointment in Dublin on March 6th last when the charge was put to him after which he “made no reply to caution”.