Ex-rugby international pleads not guilty to perfume theft

Former Irish rugby star Brendan Mullin, 62, has pleaded not guilty to stealing a €158 Hermès perfume from Brown Thomas in Dublin's Grafton Street. The ex-rugby international, who earned 55 caps for Ireland between 1984 and 1995, is accused of the offence on May 15th last year. Mullin represented himself at his fifth hearing in this case, as legal aid reform has led many solicitors to withdraw from District Court cases.

Judge John Hughes confirmed the hearing date as March 8th and remanded Mullin on continuing bail. His solicitor obtained an order for disclosure of a statement, deeming the video footage inconclusive. Garda Nathan Cox is prosecuting Mullin under section 4 of the Theft and Fraud Act, with a maximum sentence of 12 months and a fine of up to €3,000.