Attached to the British Army’s Irish Guards based in Northern Ireland, he was visiting Kilkenny to take part in an annual event when it is alleged he knocked a man unconscious, in the early hours of Tuesday.

The soldier has since appeared in court charged with assault. Sources say the assault was “at the higher end of the scale”, but the alleged victim later regained consciousness.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris had been due to join as a guest of honour to meet those taking part in the tournament, which is named “The Bonds of Friendship”.

However, after the alleged assault he did not attend the event as planned because of a “diary clash that arose”, according to a source.

Members of An Garda Síochána, the PSNI, the Irish Defence Forces and Northern-Ireland based Irish Guards officers and soldiers stayed at various hotels in Kilkenny and played golf over a number of days.

“The Bonds of Friendship” event was this year organised by the Irish Defence Forces.

Garda Headquarters confirmed a man had been injured and another person later charged with assault in Kilkenny last week.

A statement said: “Shortly after 2am on Tuesday, 10th September 2024, while on patrol, gardaí discovered a male in his 30s with injuries on John Street, Kilkenny, following an assault.

“As part of follow-up inquiries, another male in his 30s was subsequently arrested in connection with the incident.

“He has since been charged, and appeared before Carlow District Court on Thursday 11th September 2024.

“As this matter is now before the courts, there will be no further information at this time.”

The Sunday Independent is not publishing the accused man’s name or address as he works as a soldier in Northern Ireland and he could become a target of dissident terrorists.

When contacted, the Defence Forces confirmed it had arranged this year’s “Bonds of Friendship” tournament.

A spokesman said it was also aware of an incident that was now the subject of a garda probe.

“The Bonds of Friendship outing is an inter-agency golf competition held annually since 2007, between the Irish Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Irish Guards of the British Army,” he said.

“This year’s event was hosted by the Irish Defence Forces in Kilkenny golf club.

“The Defence Forces is aware of an incident that happened in Kilkenny city early on Tuesday morning, involving a visiting member of the Irish Guards. The incident is a matter for An Garda Síochána.”