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LIVE BLOG

Irish ice hockey player due to appear in court in Croatia

Sports body confirms that one of the losing national team is not allowed to leave Zagreb in advance of facing charges of damaging property on night out.

ONE OF TWO Irish national ice hockey players who were arrested in Croatia at the weekend after a night out will appear before court there.

The Irish Ice Hockey Association (IIHA) confirmed to TheJournal.ie that Ross O’Driscoll, 31, will appear in front of a court in Croatia in relation to his weekend arrest.

A spokesperson for the Zagreb court authorities told TheJournal.ie yesterday that O’Driscoll has been indicted by the court authorities for destruction and damage to other people’s property.

O’Driscoll and team mate Robert Leckey, 32, had been arrested in Zagreb on Saturday night but Leckey was later released without charge. He arrived back in Ireland yesterday evening.

The pair had been part of the Irish hockey team which ended up last in its group after a 14-0 defeat in their last game against Iceland on Saturday last.

The IIHA confirmed our report that Ross O’Driscoll has been also released from custody but is remaining on in a hotel room in Zagreb to await his date in court. A statement from the IIHA to TheJournal.ie read:

Ross O’Driscoll is currently staying in his room at his hotel in Zagreb. He will appear in court in Croatia on Tuesday morning in relation to his arrest. The IIHA are in constant contact with Ross and providing the necessary assistance.

The Department of Foreign Affairs have also been in contact with Ross and are providing consular assiatance. The main priority for everyone right now is ensuring that Ross returns safely to Ireland as soon as possible.

Read more: Irish ice hockey player faces trial following arrest in Croatia>

- Additional reporting by Susan Daly