Pub owner John Stokes has been sent forward for trial accused of threatening another Dublin publican to stop trading.
The 54-year-owner of the Players Lounge pub in Fairview, appeared at Dublin District Court today along with three co-defendants.
Mr Stokes, who is the father of Celtic striker Anthony Stokes, and Alan Ryan (30) of Grange Abbey Drive, Donaghmede, Dublin; Daryl Mulcahy (20) of Matt Talbot Court, Dublin; and Derek Nolan (29) from Seacliff Road, in Baldoyle, Dublin, had originally been charged last May under Section 17 of the Public Order Act.
The charges allege they made a demand with menaces, on March 13th last, to Shane Simpson, the former leaseholder of the Castle public house in Summerhill in the north inner city Dublin, to cease trading and “close within 24 hours”.
An additional charge has also been brought against Mr Stokes for possessing two stun guns at his pub on April 8th last.
The DPP has directed “trial on indictment" and Mr Stokes and his co-defendants appeared at Dublin District Court today to be served with books of evidence.
Judge Hugh O’Donnell ordered that they were to be returned for trial at the present term of the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
All four, who have not yet indicated how they intend to the plead to the charges, remained silent during the hearing and were remanded on continuing bail.
They are subject to bail conditions stating that they cannot associate with each other and must stay away from Shane Simpson as well as his brother Stephen Simpson, and staff from the Castle pub.