Man acquitted of breaking garda’s jaw in football match row
A former Dublin football player has been acquitted of breaking an off-duty garda's jaw during a football match.
Brendan McManamon, aged 31, of Cypress Downs, Templeogue had pleaded not guilty to the assault on former Longford player Garda Enda Ledwith at Na Fianna GAA Club, St Mobhi Road, Glasnevin on March 31, 2012.
The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial heard that Gda Ledwith’s jaw was broken during the last ten minutes of a match between Na Fianna and St Jude’s of Templeogue.
Gda Ledwith was playing for the home team, while the accused was with St Jude’s.
Mr McManamon gave evidence in the trial and claimed he was reacting to his opponent hitting him in his testicles first.
The court heard that Gda Ledwith spent three days in hospital for his fractured jaw and had three metal plates inserted during surgery.
The jury of nine men and three women had been deliberating for one hour and 52 minutes before returning a verdict of not guilty on day six of the trial. The jury had earlier requested to re-watch video footage of the match.
