A BURNLEY footballer threatened to kill a man before dragging him out of a taxi, a jury has heard.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was told victim Darren McDermott suffered multiple jaw fractures after being jumped from behind by two men just minutes after the threat by Clarets star Jeff Hendrick.

Hendrick, 25, pleaded not guilty to committing violent disorder in relation to the alleged incident in Harcourt Street, Dublin on October 12, 2013.

His co-accused Jonathan Doran, 26, of Kilmore Close, Artane, also pleaded not guilty to violent disorder and assault causing harm to Mr McDermott on the same date.

MORE TOP STORIES:
 

Mr McDermott said he had been in Krystle nightclub in Dublin city earlier that night when he bumped into two men he knew who were in the company of Mr Hendrick.

He said he initially mixed well with the group but at some point the footballer's demeanour changed.

Mr McDermott said that eventually Mr Hendrick became so aggressive that bouncers intervened and escorted him off the premises.

The jury heard Mr McDermott remained in the nightclub for about 10 minutes before leaving with his friend. He could see Mr Hendrick waiting outside.

“Straight away he tried to get back at me,” Mr McDermott said.

He told the jury he found it very intimidating and tried to get back into the nightclub but the bouncers didn't want any more hassle and pointed him in the direction of a nearby taxi rank.

Mr McDermott got into the front passenger seat of a waiting taxi which headed towards St Stephen's Green before it came to a stop at a set of lights.

He told the jury that Mr Hendrick, who played for Derby County at the time, appeared at his window and the rest of the car was surrounded by a group of his friends.

Mr McDermott said: "They were banging on the bonnet and window. They wanted me to get out. Mr Hendrick was telling me to get out and was saying he would kill me.

“I offered the driver 1,500 Euros to drive on but he said he didn't want any hassle and he unlocked the door."

Mr McDermott told the jury at this point Mr Hendrick opened the car door and pulled him from the taxi.

“I tried to calm him down. I thought it was getting a little more serious. I was afraid I was going to get a bit of hiding,” Mr McDermott said. He said he then made the decision to run.

“I was afraid for my safety. Afraid I was going to be assaulted or even worse. I sprinted off. I remember hitting the ground and people on top of me laying into me," he added.

He told Diarmuid Collins, prosecuting that he could not see who was chasing after him and he did not know how he ended up on the ground.

He described kicks to his head, face, chest and back.

“I was curled in a ball trying to protect my head as much as possible. It was just smack after smack, digs.” Mr McDermott said.

He told the jury he then heard some girls' voices screaming to get off him and the assault came to an end.

Mr McDermott said: "If they hadn't arrived God knows what condition I would have been in. My jaw was wobbly, some of my front teeth were smashed and my bottom teeth were loose. I never once hit any of them."

He got plates inserted into his jaw and spent a couple of days in hospital. He had to drink through a straw for a couple of weeks and is still getting medical attention.

Hendrick made 35 appearances for Burnley last season, scoring two goals.

(PROCEEDING)