Courts / Dublin / Report
Footballer who head-butted Elvis impersonator must pay €230k in damages
Summary
In a High Court case on 16 February 2017, Anthony Stokes, a 28‑year‑old former Blackburn Rovers footballer, was ordered to pay €230,000 in damages to Anthony Bradley, a 53‑year‑old Elvis impersonator, after Stokes head‑butted Bradley in the VIP lounge of Buck Whaleys Nightclub on 8 June 2013. The jury, after about 90 minutes of deliberation, found that Stokes had assaulted Bradley, who sustained a broken nose, dental damage, and aggravated neck problems. Bradley also suffered psychological injury and sleepless nights. The court awarded Bradley general and aggravated damages, plus costs for medical expenses already paid, and required Stokes to cover Bradley's legal costs. Stokes did not attend the hearing, citing his partner's impending childbirth, and had previously dismissed his legal team. The judge declined to award costs against Stokes on a solicitor‑client basis. The judgment was delivered by Justice Colm Mac Eochaidh.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Footballer who head-butted Elvis impersonator must pay €230k in damages. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- June 8th 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2017-02-16 Publication
Why: Counsel for Mr Bradley, Mr John O'Donnell SC appearing with Conor Bowman SC, said Stokes had informed his client's solicitor that Stokes would not be attending because the footballer's partner was due to give birth. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Defendant
Places mentioned
- Leeson Street
- Dublin's Leeson Street
- High Court
Topics
Pubs And Nightclubs Stage Trial
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