The DPP has directed that a 23-year-old Irish international football star be charged with violent disorder after an investigation by gardai into an alleged incident that happened almost two years ago in Dublin.

Derby County midfielder Jeff Hendrick is expected to appear before Dublin District Court in the coming weeks in relation to the allegation.

The revelation that he is to be charged with the offence occurs just hours after Hendrick was selected yesterday afternoon in a provisional 37-man squad for Ireland's crucial Euro 2016 qualifiers against Gibraltar and Georgia next month.

Offence

It is understood that Hendrick has been made aware that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has decided to charge him with the offence.

He played for his club in Derby's draw with Charlton Athletic on Saturday in the English Championship and is expected to have returned to Dublin by the time squad is due to assemble on August 30.

In January, the Herald revealed that Hendrick was arrested by gardai investigating an alleged assault on a 33-year-old man in the early hours of October, 12, 2013.

The alleged incident is understood to have happened after a disagreement in a nightclub spilled out on to the street.

He met officers at Pearse Street Garda Station in Dublin on Thursday, January 22, by appointment and spent a number of hours being questioned before being released without charge. A file was then prepared for the DPP, who has directed violent disorder charges in his case.

The maximum penalty for violent disorder is an unlimited fine and or a period of imprisonment for up to 10 years.

Hendrick was one of eight men arrested by gardai investigating the alleged incident, which happened in the Harcourt Street area in the early hours.

Another north Dublin man aged in his mid 20s is also due to appear in court in relation to the alleged incident and it is understood that the DPP has directed that he face violent disorder and assault charges.

In total, eight men were arrested and questioned by gardai, but the DPP has decided that just two of these will face criminal charges.

The alleged victim of the incident, who is from north Dublin, first made a statement to officers about the alleged assault in late October, 2013.

All suspects and witnesses in the case have been interviewed and CCTV has been obtained and studied.

Hendrick is originally from the Kilmore area of the city's northside and has represented the Irish senior national team on nine occasions including last year's away qualifiers against Germany and Scotland.

Herald