PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYER Jeff Hendrick has gone on trial charged with using or threatening to use violence during an incident in Dublin city centre four years ago.

This morning Hendrick (25) pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to committing violent disorder at Harcourt Street, Dublin on 12 October, 2013.

A co-accused Jonathan Doran (26), of Kilmore Close, Artane also pleaded not guilty to the charge of violent disorder.

In addition Doran, who works as a barber in Rathoath, Dublin, pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to Darren McDermott at the junction Montague Street and Harcourt Street on the same date.

Both defendants were present in court and replied “not guilty” when the charges were read out to them. The jury heard that Hendrick is originally from Kilmore Drive, Artane but is now living in the UK.

The trial is due to start before Judge Martin Nolan this afternoon. It is scheduled to run for four days.

Judge Martin Nolan warned the jury against researching anything to do with the case on the Internet.

Comments have been disabled as legal proceedings are ongoing.