February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Andrew Bushe
DUBLIN — Two Republic of Ireland soccer players appeared in the Dublin District Court on Tuesday on a number of charges, including causing criminal damage to a policewoman’s car, in the city center in the early hours of the morning.
The policewoman, Elaine Farrell, gave evidence of arresting, charging and cautioning Phil Babb, 29, and Mark Kennedy, 24, shortly before 4 a.m. on Harcourt Street.
They were also charged with being drunk in a public place, so as they may pose a danger to themselves and others and engaging in threatening behavior and using abusive words and threatening language with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.
Farrell said she had no objection to bail, which was set at £950. They are due to appear in court again on Nov. 13.
The two international players were in Dublin to begin training with the Irish squad in preparation for this weekend’s World Cup qualifying match against Holland.
Never miss an issue of The Irish Echo
Subscribe to one of our great value packages.
The tough opening qualifier takes place in Amsterdam and training sessions are to be held before the squad flies out to Holland on Thursday.
Babb signed a three year contract to play for the Portuguese champions, Sporting Lisbon, last month. He became a free agent after his contract with Liverpool expired.
Kennedy plays for Manchester City. He had previously been with Liverpool, Millwall and Wimbledon.
Babb is a defender in the Irish squad and Kennedy a midfielder.
After being arrested, they were initially held at Harcourt Terrace Garda station but were later transferred to the Bridewell station next to the District Court complex.
Ireland manager Mick McCarthy was in court for the brief hearing.