Ciaran ‘tried to help a pal’
PREMIER League ace Ciaran Clark ended up in hospital after being punched in a bar brawl in Magaluf.
The Newcastle United footballer was reportedly beaten unconscious during the bust-up in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Ciaran, 28, is thought to have stepped in to help a pal who had been hit over the head with a bottle.
Police said he was taken by taxi to Son Espases Hospital in the Majorcan capital Palma where stitches were inserted in a lip wound.
A friend, named locally as Adam J.S., 31, was taken to hospital by ambulance after being spotted running topless along the strip bleeding from a head wound.
Republic of Ireland defender Ciaran’s unnamed girlfriend apparently told police a row broke out while she was dancing with other girls in Crystal’s Bar.
A holidaymaker from another group started trying to flirt with them. A source revealed: “She said the footballer’s friend got upset because one of the men tried to flirt with them and punched him.
“One of the men’s pals reacted by hitting him over the head with a bottle. She said Ciaran was hurt trying to protect his friend.”
A 32-year-old British man, named locally as Samuel Tai Toluwase, was arrested nearby on suspicion of two assaults but was not formally charged. Instead he appeared in court where a judge reportedly freed him on bail.
Ciaran is understood to have been staying at Pure Salt Port Adriano near Santa Ponsa. Born in Harrow, north-west London, he played 19 times for England up to under-20 level before switching to play for the Irish senior side.