NIGHTCLUB bosses told last night how they kicked out Celtic star Anthony Stokes after an alleged bust-up with an Elvis impersonator. The 24-year-old striker was thrown out by bouncers following the altercation in the VIP area of a Dublin bar. The brawl is said to have erupted after a drink was spilled on Presley fan Anthony Bradley. And the singer, thought to be in his 50s, was treated in hospital for a broken nose and chipped teeth following the incident in Buck Whaleys on Saturday. Police in Dublin are treating the incident as a “vicious” and “unprovoked” assault.
Probe ... cops are investigating claims Last night a spokeswoman for the nightclub said: “A drink was spilled on Anthony Bradley’s coat. Bradley was there as he’s a friend of the band in the nightclub. “Words were exchanged between two groups. There was no big deal over it. “There was some altercation then and he was kicked out with his group of friends to avoid any further trouble. The bouncers were straight in, separated them and turfed Stokes out.” The altercation is said to have happened in front a number of witnesses as the club was closing at around 3am. A pal of the alleged victim added: “He performs at some pretty big events in hotels, his act is very popular.” Performer Anthony — who didn’t know who Stokes was — reported the incident to cops who are investigating the alleged bust-up. It’s thought the row was also caught on CCTV cameras.
Controversy ... Stokes' dad John A police spokesman confirmed: “We are investigating an allegation of assault in the early hours of Saturday morning. “A complaint was made at Pearse Street police station.” A pal of the Elvis tribute act added: “Anthony went to the police this morning and he’s been to the hospital as well. “The whole incident was caught on CCTV.” Last night sources close to Dublin-born Stokes — who is now on holiday — played down the reports that the striker had been involved in a serious bust-up. A Celtic insider said: “Some guy came up and gave him a bit of jip but there was no headbutting, he was not thrown out of the club and there were no police involved.” Buck Whaleys is one of Dublin’s most popular nightclubs with four bars over two levels, including a main club, a terrace smoking area and the VIP Boudoir Suite and VIP Parlour Bar. Stokes has been hitting the headlines ever since he joined Celtic from Hibs in 2010.
Club ... star was in VIP bar of Buck Whaleys in Dublin on Saturday Last December Hoops boss Neil Lennon blasted him for attending a tribute to honour Alan ‘The Model’ Ryan — the murdered head of the Real IRA in Dublin. Republican band The Players Brigade — which includes Stokes’ brother Michael as one of its former members — played at the event and also sold a CD on the night containing a ballad about Ryan. On the day of his funeral in Dublin last year, Stokes tweeted: “Thinking of you Alan.” In 2011 bigoted yobs targeted the striker’s West Lothian home — terrifying his pregnant girlfriend Debbie Lawlor who was inside at the time. She was forced to flee the property, which the couple later quit for good. And earlier that year his dad John was nicked by Dublin cops probing a turf war between crime gangs and the Real IRA. The 55-year-old, was also ordered to take down a controversial banner from outside his pub in the city ahead of the Queen’s visit in May that year. The poster, which included two pictures of the Queen, said: “As long as the British occupy one inch of this island they will nevere be welcome in Ireland.” Celtic declined to comment on the nightclub brawl allegations last night.
