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Scumbag Stokes Snr arrested again
The father of Celtic star Anthony Stokes was arrested tonight for the second time in weeks by detectives probing dissident republican activity.
It is understood John Stokes (aged 54) handed himself in to a Garda station in north Dublin late this afternoon.
Detectives investigating a long-running turf war between the so-called Real IRA and organised crime gangs in Dublin targeted the pub owner’s house yesterday as part of a wave of raids linked to the operation.
But it is believed he was in Scotland at the Hearts v Celtic match and presented himself to Garda officers on his return.
He is being questioned at Store Street garda station under section four of the Criminal Justice Act on suspicion of having demanded money with menaces.
Three men who were arrested during yesterday’s raids appeared in court today charged with public order offences and were remanded on bail to June 24.
John Stokes runs Players Lounge, a sports bar in Fairview, north Dublin.
Detectives are investigating allegations that another pub in the city’s northside was targeted as part of an extortion racket in March.
Last month, John, his wife Joan Stokes (aged 55) mother of the young Hoops striker as well as the footballer’s uncle Paul Byrne (aged 46) were arrested after bullets, cocaine and three stun guns were discovered in a shed at the back of his pub.
All three were later released without charge and a file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Three men, including a doorman and two customers, were gunned down outside the Players Lounge in July last year.
Earlier this year, John Stokes was ordered to remove a massive 40ft banner barring the Queen from his pub during next week’s historic state visit.
He said he reluctantly agreed to take down the banner after a senior garda threatened to object to his application for late licences.
The father of Celtic star Anthony Stokes was arrested tonight for the second time in weeks by detectives probing dissident republican activity.
It is understood John Stokes (aged 54) handed himself in to a Garda station in north Dublin late this afternoon.
Detectives investigating a long-running turf war between the so-called Real IRA and organised crime gangs in Dublin targeted the pub owner’s house yesterday as part of a wave of raids linked to the operation.
But it is believed he was in Scotland at the Hearts v Celtic match and presented himself to Garda officers on his return.
He is being questioned at Store Street garda station under section four of the Criminal Justice Act on suspicion of having demanded money with menaces.
Three men who were arrested during yesterday’s raids appeared in court today charged with public order offences and were remanded on bail to June 24.
John Stokes runs Players Lounge, a sports bar in Fairview, north Dublin.
Detectives are investigating allegations that another pub in the city’s northside was targeted as part of an extortion racket in March.
Last month, John, his wife Joan Stokes (aged 55) mother of the young Hoops striker as well as the footballer’s uncle Paul Byrne (aged 46) were arrested after bullets, cocaine and three stun guns were discovered in a shed at the back of his pub.
All three were later released without charge and a file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Three men, including a doorman and two customers, were gunned down outside the Players Lounge in July last year.
Earlier this year, John Stokes was ordered to remove a massive 40ft banner barring the Queen from his pub during next week’s historic state visit.
He said he reluctantly agreed to take down the banner after a senior garda threatened to object to his application for late licences.
