A New Zealand former professional football player has been pulled off a flight from Australia and charged with rape in a dramatic arrest.

The 47-year-old allegedly assaulted a 37-year-old woman on Sunday. She reported this to police on Monday morning.

The Gold Coast Bulletin reports the accused’s mother bought him a one-way ticket back to New Zealand on Monday night after she learned of the rape allegation against him.

However police at the Coolangatta airport received information he was attempting to leave the country, seized the man from the flight, and charged him with rape.

The man has been released on bail after surrendering his passport.

He appears in court again on March 1.

Newshub.

Gardaí believe the fatal stabbing of Willie Lynch (35) on December 30 was triggered by a trivial dispute over Christmas spending.

The well-known pool and darts player was found with serious stab wounds at his home on the main street of Pallaskenry, Co Limerick, at 5pm on Saturday.

Despite desperate efforts by paramedics, Mr Lynch was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gardaí later sealed off four areas as potential crime scenes – William Lynch’s blood-stained home, a local supermarket and two other Pallaskenry properties.

Several areas were examined for what were understood to be blood spatters.

The 29-year-old man will appear before Newcastlewest District Court at 10.30am on Tuesday, January, 2, 2018.