US prosecutors say there is no change to former Derry footballer Ciaran McFaul’s bail conditions that would allow him to play in this year’s All-Ireland Senior Club Football Final.
The confirmation will nail speculation among some in GAA circles the star centre half back might make a dramatic return to boost Glen’s chances when they tackle Kilmacud Crokes on Sunday.
The 28-year-old surrendered his passport and is wearing an electronic ankle tag as part of his bail conditions after being charged with assault and battery in Boston last August.
McFaul, at the core of Glen winning the Derry Championship the previous year, travelled to Boston after opting out of the county panel. Any planned return ended during the summer after he was charged following the incident outside a bar that left a man with serious internal injuries.
"He has surrendered his passport and must stay in Massachusetts for the pendency of the case. So, he won’t be playing in that game,” Kevin Hayden from Suffolk County District Attorney said.
He is next due to appear on February 13.
It is claimed by the District Attorney that McFaul was heavily intoxicated and was thrown out of a venue at around 2am before confronting three men outside. It is alleged McFaul punched one three times in the face, causing him to fall to the ground, before kicking him several times in the abdomen.
At the initial hearing, the court heard the victim suffered a stage-four kidney laceration and internal bleeding, and spent two days in intensive care.
Four days after his court appearance, McFaul lined out for Donegal Boston in a local championship game. He was wearing his electronic ankle monitor.
