Footballer Anthony Stokes had his prosecution for headbutting a man dropped after the alleged victim refused to turn up.
The 33-year-old former Celtic and Ireland striker had claimed he acted in self-defence.
He was accused of assault causing harm to Fraser Spratt at Fitzgerald’s pub on Aston Quay, in Dublin, on March 16, 2019, which he denied.
Stokes was present but Judge John Hughes heard the man was reluctant to travel over from the UK for the hearing, expected to last a day.
Judge Hughes struck out the case.
In Irish law, that means that the prosecution is halted but the authorities can return to the case at a later date if new evidence does emerge.
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