James McCartan was approached by the Gardai in August

Down gaelic footballer James McCartan has been charged with assaulting a Westmeath player in a challenge game last May.

McCartan's solicitor Joe Rice has confirmed that the double All-Ireland winner has received a summons to appear in a Dublin court on 3 March.

The player has been charged with carrying out an assault against Westmeath's Kenny Larkin.

McCartan is denying the charge.

If found guilty, he could face a prison term of up to 12 months or a fine of up to 1500 Euro.

The alleged incident occured in a challenge game in Newcastle, county Dublin.

After the match, 20-year-old trainee garda Larkin underwent surgery which resulted in the insertion of three plates in his jaw.

The player also lost two teeth and his jaw was wired for almost a month which meant that he had to have his food liquidised.

The case is also being investigated by the GAA's Games Administration Committee.

James McCartan will be bringing witnesses to support his claim that he is not guilty of the charge against him Solicitor Joe Rice

However, McCartan's legal advisor has made clear that he will take out a court injunction to prevent any further investigation of the matter by the sporting body in advance of the trial.

Rice said that his client was determined to do everything possible to clear his name.

"James McCartan comes from a distinguished GAA family," Mr Rice told the Sunday Independent.

"He will be bringing witnesses to support his claim that he is not guilty of the charge against him.

"We want to take this opportunity to stress that, if necessary, James McCartan is prepared to fight his case before a jury trial.

"He was neither booked nor sent off during the game in question and is determined to prove his total innocence".

In August, McCartan was approached by two members of the gardai after attending a preliminary GAA hearing into the case at Croke Park.

The appearance of two plain clothes garda after the GAC hearing angered top GAA officials who claimed that the development could hinder the sporting organisation's own investigation.