A jury has failed to reach a verdict in the trial of a GAA player accused of assaulting an opposing team member during an intermediate league football match.
Ronan Mullins (29), of Wheatfield Road, Palmerstown, Dublin, pleaded not guilty to assaulting Damian Flannigan, of Fingal Ravens, causing him harm at Glenaulin Park, Palmerstown, on June 19th, 2003.
Judge Brian McMahon discharged the jury after it was unable to reach a verdict following four hours of deliberation.
Mr Mullins has been remanded on continuing bail until May 27th when the case will be re-entered for mention.
Mr Flannigan, who was playing for Fingal Ravens, told prosecuting counsel Kerida Naidoo that 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, and saw one of his own men being kicked. He attempted to pull that man out of the way. He received a blow and collapsed to the ground unconscious.
Mr Flannigan said he did not see where the blow came from, and remembered waking to find himself bleeding and spitting out bits of teeth.
Mr Mullins, a substitute for St Patrick's of Palmerstown, allegedly ran on to the pitch during the melee and punched the Fingal player in the face, breaking his nose.
He told Sean Gillane, defending, he came on to the pitch to protect his 19-year-old team-mate Barry O'Hanlon, who was being "punched, pushed and kicked" by two Fingal players.
Mr O'Hanlon told Mr Gillane that during the melee he was involved in a scuffle with Mr Flannigan.
He said he was "boxed in" by other Fingal players and had to drop to his hunkers, with his hands up to defend himself from blows, before being pulled away.
Noel Murphy, secretary of the disciplinary committee of Dublin County Board, told Mr Gillane that Mr Flannigan has been suspended four times since 2002. Mr Mullins was suspended following the June 19th, 2003, match, but at no other time.