Hurling all-star John Mullane has been cleared at Waterford Circuit Criminal Court of an assault against a pool player in a local city pub.
The 25-year-old hurler, from Oriel Square, Waterford, had pleaded not guilty to assaulting David Keating in the Pulpit Bar, Waterford, on St Stephen's night, 2002.
The court heard yesterday the hurler claim that he had been goaded and taunted by several men for up to an hour.
"A threat was made to take me out and kill me. As a result I feared I was going to be attacked. I struck David Keating in the face, but did not intend to strike him with my glass which was in my hand."
During Tuesday's hearing, Mr Keating told the court that he did not want to pursue the matter, claiming that he had made peace with Mr Mullane.
The jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty.