Case No. 0850Assault causing harm · Co. Dublin · 1 Mar 2026
Leinster rugby player Alan Spicer avoids criminal conviction for nightclub assault in Dublin
Alan Spicer, a man, 21, and Leinster rugby player, flicked a hard plastic cup at a woman in her 20s, striking her in the face and causing a cut lip, a scar, and a discoloured tooth, at 3.45am on 1 March 2026 at Copper Face Jacks nightclub, Harcourt Street, Dublin. He was celebrating his latest cap at the time. Spicer pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and paid €10,000 compensation. On 10 June 2026, Judge Treasa Kelly applied the Probation Act, avoiding a criminal conviction, and said it would not affect his ability to travel.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced10 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Spicer flicked a hard plastic cup at the woman, striking her in the face and causing a cut lip, a scar, and a discoloured tooth requiring a new cap.
- Where
- The incident occurred at Copper Face Jacks, Jackson Court Hotel, Harcourt Street, Dublin.
- When
- The incident took place at 3.45am on 1 March 2026.
- Investigation
- Garda Ronan Molloy from Pearse Street station investigated the incident.
- Charges
- Spicer pleaded guilty to assault causing harm.
- Sentence
- Judge Treasa Kelly applied the Probation Act, avoiding a criminal conviction, and said it would not affect his ability to travel.
- Other details
- Spicer paid €10,000 compensation to the woman, whose medical expenses so far were about €1,500 and who may need further treatment.
- Spicer had no prior convictions and was co-operative on arrest, consistently contacting the investigating garda to check on the woman.
- Spicer is a 6ft 10in player who has represented Ireland under-20s, UCD and Leinster, and was celebrating his latest cap at the time.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatSpicer flicked a hard plastic cup at the woman, striking her in the face and causing mouth injuries. (irishtimes.com)
- whatSpicer pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and paid €10,000 compensation. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe woman sustained a cut lip, a scar, and a discoloured tooth requiring a new cap. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe woman's medical expenses so far were about €1,500 and she may need further treatment. (irishtimes.com)
- whatSpicer had no prior convictions. (irishtimes.com)
- whatSpicer was celebrating his latest cap at the time of the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident occurred at Copper Face Jacks, Jackson Court Hotel, Harcourt Street, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident took place at 3.45am on 1 March. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGarda Ronan Molloy from Pearse Street station investigated the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Treasa Kelly applied the Probation Act, avoiding a criminal conviction, and said it would not affect his ability to travel. (irishtimes.com)
- otherSpicer is a 6ft 10in player who has represented Ireland under-20s, UCD and Leinster. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge noted the guilty plea spared the woman the anxiety of having to come to court. (irishtimes.com)
- otherSpicer was co-operative on arrest and consistently contacted the investigating garda to check on the woman. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 10 Jun2026Leinster rugby player avoids criminal conviction for assaulting woman in Copper Face Jacks nightclub
Reports the guilty plea and sentencing under the Probation Act, including details of the incident, the victim's injuries, and character references.
victim, 20s, femaleconvicted, Alan Spicer, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alan Spicer