A GAA player has gone on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assaulting an opposing team member during an intermediate football league game.
Ronan Mullins (28), Wheatfield Road, Palmerstown, a substitute for St Patrick's of Palmerstown, allegedly ran onto the pitch during the second half of the match and punched a Fingal Ravens player in the face, breaking his nose.
Mr Mullins has pleaded not guilty to assaulting Mr Damian Flanagan, causing him harm at Glenaulin Park, Palmerstown, on June 19th, 2003.
Mr Flanagan, who was playing centre half for Fingal Ravens, told Mr Kerida Naidoo BL, prosecuting, that a free kick was given to St Patrick's at the start of the second half as their keeper had been fouled. Mr Flanagan said a "melee" broke out around the St Patrick's goal mouth during which their players surrounded Fingal players. He said he walked towards the area, saw one of his men being kicked and tried to pull him out of the way.
He said he then received a blow and collapsed. He did not see where the blow came from. Medical witnesses from Beaumont Hospital told the jury that Mr Flanagan had a broken nose and two broken teeth.
Mr Flanagan denied under cross examination by Seán Gillane BL, defending, that he ran towards the melee with a "view to causing damage" and that he had singled out the youngest player on the pitch, Barry O'Hanlon. He denied he and another player set about Mr O'Hanlon and began "raining blows" on him.
Mr Gillane suggested Mr Flanagan's version of events was a "tapestry of lies" and questioned his sending-off record. He also suggested that during his career Mr Flanagan had been suspended for striking players and being abusive to a referee. Mr Flanagan could not recall specific incidents.
He also denied Mr Gillane's suggestion that the trial was about money but accepted that he was taking civil action against St Patrick's GAA club and that his solicitor wrote to Mr Mullins in September 2003 asking him to accept liability and pay compensation. Mr Flanagan told Mr Gillane that he, "had nothing to hide and no lies to protect".
The hearing continues before Judge Bryan McMahon and a jury.