Former All-Ireland winning footballer James McCartan today paid €10,000 to charity to avoid a criminal conviction for breaking the jaw of another footballer.
Mr McCartan (33), from Banbridge, Co Down, was found guilty last November of assaulting Kenneth Larkin (21) during a challenge match between Down and Westmeath in May 2003.
At Dublin District Court prosecuting garda Sgt Gerard Feeney confirmed €10,000 had been paid by McCartan to Portlaoise Lions Club. The charity had been nominated by Larkin, who is stationed as a garda in Portlaoise.
Judge Haughton dismissed the case under the Probation Act. Neither Mr Larkin nor McCartan appeared in court for the brief hearing.
During the two-day trial last November, the court heard that Mr McCartan had broken Larkin's jaw when he turned around and struck him with a clenched fist.
Judge William Early said: "To strike someone without legal justification is a crime whether it takes place in the street, in the family home or the football pitch or elsewhere."
However, he said Mr McCartan was a very fine young man who had been one of the most illustrious names in Gaelic football. "Apart from the GAA, I've no doubt that Mr McCartan is an impressive man with impressive achievements. It is a sorry business that because of a moment of indiscipline he has come before the court," he said.
He agreed to apply the probation act if Mr McCartan made an offer of restitution towards Mr Larkin. The €10,000 donation for the Portlaoise Lions Club was agreed between lawyers for McCartan and Mr Larkin.