GARDAÍ HAVE BEEN granted more time to obtain a decision from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the case of a Leinster rugby player accused of assaulting a woman in a Dublin nightclub.

Alan Spicer (21), of Swords Road, Malahide, Dublin, is charged with assault causing harm to the named female at Copper Face Jacks, Jackson Court Hotel, Harcourt Street, on 1 March last.

The 6ft 10in second row, who has represented Ireland under-20s, University College Dublin (UCD) and Leinster, has yet to enter a plea and faced his second appearance at Dublin District Court on Wednesday.

It has yet to be confirmed whether the case will be heard at the District Court level or sent forward to the Circuit Court, which, on conviction, has wider sentencing powers.

Judge Máire Conneely noted from defence solicitor John O’Doherty that the case was listed for the DPP to outline their directions, but they were still not available.

Judge Conneely adjourned the case for two weeks and remanded Mr Spicer on continuing bail.

At his previous hearing on 19 March, Garda Ronan Molloy, from Pearse Street station, said the accused “made no reply” to the charge, under section three of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

No facts regarding the alleged incident were given during the brief hearing.

Earlier, the defence said it would seek disclosure of evidence once the DPP’s directions were known.