The manager of Dublin comedian Brendan O'Carroll has lodged a formal complaint with police in Liverpool, alleging he was assaulted by police officers at Speke Airport in the city yesterday.
Mr Gerry Browne (38) from Finglas, Dublin, said he was punched and kicked in the head by three policemen who dragged him into a room and accused him of assaulting a woman police officer. He said he had questioned the policewoman about why he was being asked to fill out a disembarkation card.
He later received hospital treatment for cuts to his head and ears and bruising to his back. Mr Browne said one of the policemen called him "f...ing Irish scum" and a "Paddy bastard" during the incident, which lasted about 15 minutes.
He had arrived in the city with Mr O'Carroll for last night's opening in Liverpool's Netune Theatre of the comedian's play, Grandad's Sure Lily's Still Alive.