In the High Court, the jury unanimously found that the 28-year-old footballer had assaulted 53-year-old Anthony Bradley.

The jury found that Mr Bradley was entitled to general damages, aggravated damages, and damages to cover the cost of medical expenses already paid for by Mr Bradley totalling €230,000 for the injuries he sustained, as well as having to pay Mr. Bradley's legal costs.

Mr Bradley sued Stokes seeking damages after he was headbutted by the player at Buck Whaleys Nightclub in Dublin on the early hours of 8 June, 2013.

Mr Stokes has won nine caps for Ireland and has played for clubs including Celtic, Hibernian and Sunderland before joined Blackburn last summer. Mr. Stokes was not present in court nor was he legally represented at the hearing.