St Patrick’s Athletic manager Eamonn Collins has moved to bring former Wimbledon, Stockport County and Carlisle United defender Des Byrne back to the club on a short-term contract until the end of May.
Dismissed by Stockport for an incident in a nightclub in 1999, 23-year-old Byrne returned to Ireland to play for St Pats four years ago before embarking on a second stint in England, which saw him embroiled in a high-profile court case alongside John Terry and Jody Morris and, most recently, released by Carlisle after another breach of discipline.
After a subsequent trial at QPR, he returned to his home town and opted to re-sign for the Inchicore club on a week-to-week contract this week, although he could well return across the water once more during the summer to pursue his career in the English lower leagues.
Pats manager Collins told the club’s official website: “Dessie’s going to sign on a week-to-week contract. At the moment, he’s got a couple of clubs to go to in the UK but he’ll be joining us from now until about the 1st of June. He’s been training with us since the start of last week, he’s had a couple of offers from other eircom League clubs but we’re delighted that he’ll be joining us on a short-term contract.”
