Former boxing world champion Steve Collins has been acquitted at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of assaulting an Albanian bouncer.
The jury took an hour and 35 minutes to return a unanimous verdict finding Mr Collins not guilty of assault causing harm to Adriatik Vodo at the National Stadium on June 3rd, 2006, at the National Stadium, South Circular Road. It was the fourth day of the trial.
Mr Justice Tony Hunt thanked the jurors for their care and attention to the case and told them the service they provided was an invaluable one.
Earlier in the four-day trial Mr Collins (44) told his counsel, Patrick Purcell BL, that Mr Vodo had “man-handled” him while refusing him re-entry to the stadium to finish RTÉ commentary on Bernard Dunne versus Jim Rock boxing match.
Mr Collins said he was “acting on self-defence”. Mr Collins said he had no formal accreditation to gain entry into the stadium but that he had been employed by RTÉ to commentate on numerous fights at the venue.
The former boxer explained he had left the stadium to get some fresh air as it was “hot and sticky” inside but returned two minutes later to come back in using the same door. He said he was “very relaxed and jolly” as he made his way back into the stadium but was then stopped by the doorman, Mr Vodo.
“He stopped me and then put his hands on my chest and started to man-handle me and pushed me away,” Mr Collins said. “I explained to him that I was working for RTÉ and other people around me were telling him who I was and to let me in,” he said.
He told Mr Purcell that the doorman appeared aggressive despite RTÉ co-commentator Mick Dowell explaining to Mr Vodo who he was.
Speaking outside the court after the verdict was delivered, Mr Collins said the result has brought him “great relief as the past four years have been very stressful”.
“I am glad it is all over, and I am glad the jury came to their decision," added Mr Collins.