Assault victim vows to give up €230k compensation package he’s owed by Anthony Stokes to help in Covid-19 fight
A KIND-hearted assault victim has vowed to give up a €230,000 compensation package he’s owed by ex-Ireland star Anthony Stokes — to help in the fight against Covid-19.
Former Elvis impersonator Anthony Bradley, 55, suffered a broken nose and chipped teeth after he was attacked by Stokes at the Buck Whaley’s pub in 2013.
Despite two courts ordering Stokes, 31, to pay the singer, from Ballyfermot in Dublin, €230,000 in compo in 2017, he has never handed over any cash.
And almost seven years since the unprovoked attack, Anthony has pleaded with Stokes to “finally do the right thing”.
'I JUST WANT TO MOVE ON'
Mr Bradley now wants the former Celtic and Hibs striker to donate €50,000 to frontline HSE staff in return for the compensation being waived.
The Dublin man has given Stokes one month to make the payment.
The entertainer said: “I don’t think he’s ever going to repay me so this is about him finally redeeming himself.
“I’m still in debt but I just want to move on with my life and I think this is one way of ending the nightmare I’ve been in these last seven years.
“We’ve all seen the devastation this illness is causing to the country so this idea was about me trying to do something positive. I am willing to forego the compensation that was awarded to me in return for Stokes making a payment of €50,000.
“He would be saving himself (money) and also making a contribution to a very worthwhile cause.”
'DO HIS BIT'
Anthony added: “I’m asking him to make this payment within a month because the HSE are struggling.
“It would have to be verified legally, done in a transparent way and he would also be liable for any fees he may incur over the transaction.
“Perhaps he could do this through the Irish Sun. I also think he would have to do this publicly because I have given my word publicly in relation to waiving my compensation.
“He’s ignored the will of the court for a long time so surely he can step up now and do his bit for his country.”
FORGIVENESS
Anthony also told how he had forgiven Stokes for the attack.
He added: “I bear no animosity towards him and just want this over and done with.
“All I wanted was for him to cover the medical bills, it was the jury who made the costs order, not me.
“He has never apologised and this whole thing should have been settled long before now.
“It’s ironic him taking a case to FIFA over a payment issue when he never paid me a penny.”
Stokes is now in Dublin after he appeared in court in Scotland in March charged with allegedly harassing his ex-partner Eilidh Scott, 28, and her parents.
He returned to Ireland in March after he was sacked from his Iranian club Persepolis FC.
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Bosses say he was dismissed after breaching his contract that was due to expire in June.
We can also reveal Stokes could still face charges over a pub assault. He is accused of breaking a man’s jaw in a pub in Dublin’s Temple Bar on St Patrick’s Day in 2019.
The probe by gardai at Pearse Street Garda Station into the alleged assault has been completed. And we understand the DPP’s decision on whether or not to charge Stokes is expected to be made over the coming days.