STOKES was pictured at the event in memory of Alan Ryan and boss Neil Lennon admitted the striker had damaged the reputation of the club but as "taken on board" his punishment. please log in to view this image CELTIC have finally disciplined Anthony Stokes for attending a party honouring a murdered Real IRA boss. Manager Neil Lennon yesterday said the injured striker âdamaged the reputation of the clubâ by turning up at the Dublin benefit in memory of Alan âThe Modelâ Ryan. The terrorist leader â killed in a street execution in September â is believed to have been a friend of Stokesâs family through his association with a bar owned by dad/uncle John. But the 24-year-oldâs presence at the party, exposed by the Record two weeks ago, slightly miffed the Parkhead hierarchy. He was pictured with an arm draped around a woman at the do. please log in to view this image Lennon said: âI am not going to moralise to him but you cannot damage the reputation of the club. He is aware of that now. It has been dealt with internally. âAnd he has taken it on board, absolutely. âIt is maybe make or break time for him in terms of football. He has been out for the best part of six months so he wants to get back playing. âAnd we want him back playing because over the last two seasons he has been a very important player for us in terms of goals.â Stokesâs agent Gerry Carlile refused to comment. Police in Dublin said leading republican dissidents were at the party, including a number suspected of involvement in the murder of Northern Ireland prison officer David Black. Ryan, 32, was the leader of the Dublin brigade of the Real IRA â a breakaway group opposed to the peace process.
