Weapons used during a violent assault on a former Kilkenny senior hurler, P.J. Delaney, were later thrown into the Suir river in Thurles, a court was told yesterday.
Mr Delaney (27), from Johnstown, Co Kilkenny, received serious head injuries in the alleged assault on September 19th, 1999.
Mr Michael McCarthy jnr (23), of Galboola, Littleton, Co Tipperary, denies assault causing serious harm to Mr Delaney. Mr McCarthy jnr and another defendant, Mr John O'Donoghue (27), of Beechwood Lawns, Thurles, also deny violent disorder outside Hayes's Hotel in Thurles.
Nenagh Circuit Court yesterday heard details of a memo from a Garda interview with Mr O'Donoghue, four days after the alleged assault. Mr O'Donoghue said he saw several men surround a man lying on the ground outside the hotel. They began striking him.
Mr O'Donoghue said he and Mr McCarthy jnr tried to protect the man on the ground. After the crowd dispersed, Mr O'Donoghue jumped into a white car which he incorrectly thought was a taxi.
It sped off and stopped close to the Suir, where the named occupants threw "weapons" into the water.
The car returned to the nightclub, and Mr O'Donoghue jumped out while it was still moving.
The case continues.