Professional footballer Anthony Stokes has appeared in court charged with an alleged assault in a Dublin bar last year.
The court heard the former Republic of Ireland and Celtic striker “vehemently denies” the charge.
Dressed all in black, Anthony Stokes put on a facemask for his brief court appearance this afternoon.
The 31-year-old is back in his native Dublin after a planned six-month stint with an Iranian football club was cut short due to the global pandemic.
He’s accused of headbutting a man once in Fitzgerald’s bar in Temple Bar.
The court heard it will be alleged that the man lost consciousness temporarily after he fell to the ground, but has not suffered any lasting injuries.
Mr Stokes’ solicitor Peter Corrigan told Judge Anthony Halpin that his client denies the charge.
He said he will claim he was out with his girlfriend that night, and acted at all times in self-defence and proportionally.
There was no objection to bail on condition he stays at the Dublin address given, and notifies gardaí if he takes up employment outside Ireland.
He’s due back in court in July.
Reporting by Frank Greaney
Main image: Footballer Anthony Stokes. Picture by: Niall Carson/PA Archive/PA Images
