Ireland Leinster rugby player avoids conviction over nightclub assault in Dublin
On 1 March 2026 at Copper Face Jacks nightclub on Harcourt Street, Dublin, Alan Spicer (21), of Swords Road, Malahide, a Leinster rugby player, reportedly threw or flicked a hard plastic cup at a woman in her 20s during a drink-fuelled row, causing a cut lip, a scar and a discoloured tooth. Spicer was accused of assault on a woman, and the case was reported as adjourned on 28 May 2026. On 10 June 2026 he pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, and Judge Treasa Kelly applied the Probation of Offenders Act, so he avoided a criminal conviction and jail. The latest reported development is that Spicer paid €10,000 compensation.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court28 May
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Alan Spicer, 21, of Swords Road, Malahide, Dublin, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to a woman in her 20s.
- The woman suffered a cut lip, a scar and a discoloured tooth, described as dental injuries, and her medical expenses so far were about €1,500.
- Where
- The incident happened at Copper Face Jacks nightclub on Harcourt Street, Dublin.
- When
- The incident happened on 1 March 2026.
- Cause
- Sources describe a drink-fuelled nightclub row; one says Spicer took a cup from the woman's hand and threw it at her, while another says he flicked a beaker at her.
- Weapon
- The object was a hard plastic cup or beaker.
- Charges
- Spicer was accused of assault on a woman.
- Investigation
- A report dated 28 May 2026 said the case had been adjourned; it gave no names, dates or location.
- In court
- On 10 June 2026 Judge Treasa Kelly applied the Probation of Offenders Act, so Spicer avoided a criminal conviction and jail.
- Sentence
- Spicer paid €10,000 compensation.
- Other details
- Spicer admitted the offence from the outset, has no prior convictions, and was celebrating his latest cap at the time.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAlan Spicer pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to a woman in her 20s. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe woman suffered a cut lip, a scar and a discoloured tooth. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe woman's medical expenses so far were about €1,500. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe incident happened at Copper Face Jacks nightclub on Harcourt Street, Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on 1 March. (thejournal.ie)
- causeSpicer took a hard plastic cup from the woman's hand and threw it at her. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeA Leinster rugby player is accused of assault on a woman. (extra.ie)
- courtThe case has been adjourned. (extra.ie)
- courtJudge Treasa Kelly applied the Probation of Offenders Act. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceSpicer paid €10,000 compensation. (thejournal.ie)
- otherSpicer admitted the offence from the outset. (thejournal.ie)
- otherSpicer has no prior convictions. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Jun2026Leinster rugby player Alan Spicer avoids criminal conviction for assaulting woman in nightclub
Reports the guilty plea, the Probation of Offenders Act disposal that avoids a criminal conviction, the €10,000 compensation, and the victim's injuries and medical costs.
accused, Alan Spicer, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alan Spicervictim, 20s, female - 28 May2026Leinster rugby player accused of assault on woman has case adjourned
Reports only that the case against a Leinster rugby player accused of assault on a woman has been adjourned. The article body is empty apart from website template code, so no names, dates or location are given. Matched to case 9314 on the rugby player and assault details.
accusedvictim, female