A garda who came on as a substitute in a Donegal inter-club GAA football competition eight years ago denied in the High Court yesterday he struck an opponent.
Garda John Ferry, who was a member of the St Michael's club from Dunfanaghy, is being sued by Mr Sean Connaughton (26), of Glenties, Co Donegal, player-secretary of Robert Emmet's club in Castlefin.
Mr Connaughton claims Garda Ferry broke his jaw during a match between the two club sides at Dunfanaghy on April 8th, 1989. He said he was playing in the Robert Emmet's forward line.
Garda Ferry told the court he came on in the second half, played in a centre-forward position and did not recall changing position during the match.
At no stage during the match or after it was he aware of anything happening to anybody. The first indication he had a complaint was being made was on June 8th, 1989, when he was told by a Donegal GAA County Board official there was an allegation against him.
He wrote to the board outlining that he had no recollection of being involved in any football match, let alone the particular match. He was later told the GAA had carried out a thorough investigation into the alleged incident.
His club received a letter that no evidence could be found to substantiate an allegation against any player on his team, he said.
The hearing continues today.