Former Leicester City and Hibernian football club goalkeeper Conrad Logan attempted to headbutt a garda during a drink-fuelled "melee" on his stag night in Dublin, a court has heard.
Logan, 38, with an address in Leicester, England, pleaded guilty on Thursday to public order offences.
He admitted being intoxicated to the extent he was a danger to himself and others, and engaging in threatening, abusive, and insulting behaviour on the night of April 21st, 2024, at Eustace Street in the city centre.
The prosecution withdrew a third charge for assaulting a garda during the late night incident.
Donegal-born Logan, who had been drinking since 11am and was with a group for his stag night, had been asked to leave a pub.
Judge John Hughes heard at Dublin District Court that Logan, who had no previous convictions, attempted to headbutt one plain clothes officer and told a garda who produced his official identity card, "I don't give a f**k who you are".
However, the judge noted his previous good record and references furnished to the court and said he would impose a benign order if Logan donated €1,000 to an inner city youth group.
A Leicester City club welfare officer provided a testimonial which described Logan as kind and quietly spoken, and added that he "maintained a positive reputation wherever he goes".
Logan, who had a lengthy playing career, is now involved with the Anstey Nomads FC in Leicestershire; the club's secretary also provided a detailed letter outlining his role in setting up a team for children with special needs.
Pleading for leniency, defence counsel Luke O'Higgins said the purpose of the reference letters was to show that the incident was completely out of character, foolish and it should not have happened.
Counsel asked the court to consider leaving him without a conviction and to note that Logan had given back so much to his community, friends and football fans.
He said his client "never so much raised his hand to a person on the football field", and it simply should not have happened.
Mr O'Higgins characterised the incident as "a flash in the pan" and short-lived, and he submitted that Logan was unlikely to come before the courts again in any jurisdiction.
The court heard he spent a night in a cell before facing his first court appearance the following day when he was granted bail.
Initially, he denied all the charges but changed his plea to guilty when the assault charge was dropped.
Judge Hughes said that two gardaí went into the pub, and there was a melee with Logan's group.
It was the accused's own stag night, and they had been asked to leave before gardaí were called.
The judge described the former goalie's conduct outside on the street, and the fighting and brawling in public, as "absolutely disgraceful".
However, he remarked that a conviction could have serious consequences for Logan, who had a long and distinguished career and was a sports role model for young people.
The case was adjourned until February 4th next.
