LIVERPOOL striker Andy Carroll is being investigated by gardai over an alleged assault on a photographer.
Gardai confirmed that the footballer – who is the most expensive British player in history – is under investigation following the alleged incident in Dublin's Grafton Street.
He currently plays for West Ham on a season-long loan.
It was claimed the incident involving the 23-year-old happened about 2.30am yesterday.
The West Ham squad were in Dublin on their Christmas party over the weekend.
Carroll and other members of the team were spotted at city centre venues including The Quays pub.
The team were said to be in flying form after stunning Chelsea with a 3-1 victory on Saturday.
Gardai have not arrested the €40m footballer in relation to the claim.
On October 25, 2010, he pleaded guilty to common assault and was fined £1,000 (€1,230) in an English court. He was also ordered to pay £2,500 (€3,000) compensation.
The court heard he threw his drink over Michael Cook in Newcastle nightclub Blu Bambu in December. Carroll said his glass accidentally slipped out of his hand.
Bleeding
His victim was left bruised and bleeding. Sentencing Carroll, Judge Esmond Faulks said: "The prosecution accept you did not intend to injure Mr Cook, so that what happened to him was effectively an accident."
The hearing heard that Carroll had drunk between eight and nine pints of lager before he lashed out at Sunday League footballer Mr Cook.
A week before that court appearance, he was arrested following an allegation that he assaulted his ex-girlfriend Laurie Henderson, an 18-year-old lingerie model, at her home in Ponteland, Northumberland, but the charge was dropped as there was no realistic prospect of a conviction.
Following his arrest, the 6ft 4in striker claimed he was acting in self-defence. And in 2008, he accepted a caution for assaulting a woman in a Newcastle bar.
Then there are Carroll's alleged training ground spats, one with Charles N'Zogbia in 2009 that was later brushed off as "handbags", and one earlier this year that left Magpies' defender Stephen Taylor in hospital with a broken jaw.
- Brendan Farrelly
Irish Independent
Gardai confirmed that the footballer – who is the most expensive British player in history – is under investigation following the alleged incident in Dublin's Grafton Street.
He currently plays for West Ham on a season-long loan.
It was claimed the incident involving the 23-year-old happened about 2.30am yesterday.
The West Ham squad were in Dublin on their Christmas party over the weekend.
Carroll and other members of the team were spotted at city centre venues including The Quays pub.
The team were said to be in flying form after stunning Chelsea with a 3-1 victory on Saturday.
Gardai have not arrested the €40m footballer in relation to the claim.
On October 25, 2010, he pleaded guilty to common assault and was fined £1,000 (€1,230) in an English court. He was also ordered to pay £2,500 (€3,000) compensation.
The court heard he threw his drink over Michael Cook in Newcastle nightclub Blu Bambu in December. Carroll said his glass accidentally slipped out of his hand.
Bleeding
His victim was left bruised and bleeding. Sentencing Carroll, Judge Esmond Faulks said: "The prosecution accept you did not intend to injure Mr Cook, so that what happened to him was effectively an accident."
The hearing heard that Carroll had drunk between eight and nine pints of lager before he lashed out at Sunday League footballer Mr Cook.
A week before that court appearance, he was arrested following an allegation that he assaulted his ex-girlfriend Laurie Henderson, an 18-year-old lingerie model, at her home in Ponteland, Northumberland, but the charge was dropped as there was no realistic prospect of a conviction.
Following his arrest, the 6ft 4in striker claimed he was acting in self-defence. And in 2008, he accepted a caution for assaulting a woman in a Newcastle bar.
Then there are Carroll's alleged training ground spats, one with Charles N'Zogbia in 2009 that was later brushed off as "handbags", and one earlier this year that left Magpies' defender Stephen Taylor in hospital with a broken jaw.
- Brendan Farrelly
Irish Independent