Samoan rugby international Alesana Tuilagi to decide on Dublin plea

Samoan rugby player Alesana Tuilagi, who has been charged with attacking a man in Dublin three years ago, has been given six weeks to decide how he will plead.

In August the 33-year-old player met gardaí at Dublin Airport by appointment. He was charged with assault causing harm to a man during an incident which is alleged to have occurred at Harcourt Street in Dublin city centre on April 4th, 2011.

He then faced a brief hearing at Dublin District Court which was told that there was no objection to bail with a €2,000 cash lodgement. Det Garda Tony Howard had told the court that there was CCTV footage of the alleged incident as well as witness statements.

The 1.85m (6ft 1in) winger, who currently plays for the Newcastle Falcons rugby union team in England, made his second court appearance yesterday.

Judge Anthony Halpin said Mr Tuilagi would be expected to enter a plea to the charge on December 2nd.