Paddy McCourt strenuously denies sex assault allegation,
He is accused of committing the assault on a woman in her 20s in a bar in Derry city on January 30 this year.
The charge reads that he “intentionally touched (a female), the circumstances being that the touching was sexual, that SHE did not consent to the touching and you did not reasonably believe that (the female) so consented, contrary to Article 7(1) of the Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008”.
The 38-year-old, who was capped 18 times and also played for Celtic and Derry City, vehemently denies the charge.
Appearing at Derry Magistrates’ Court via videolink on Wednesday, Mr McCourt replied “definitely not guilty” when the charge was put to him.
Mr McCourt, of Wheatfield Court in Muff, Co Donegal, was released on continuing bail.
He is due to appear again at the same court on Wesdnesday, March 23.