More than 25 Glasgow Celtic fans were being held at Store Street and Pearse Street Garda stations last night under the Public Order Act after clashes with gardai on O'Connell Street, Dublin.
The jubilant Celtic fans, who had just seen TV coverage of their team beating Glasgow Rangers 3-0, ran into trouble when they spilled out of pubs and refused to cross the road at the intersection with Cathal Brugha Street.
A passer-by said that a garda was unsuccessful in her attempt to get them to cross the road: "She called in reinforcements and a running battle ensued between the fans and up to 40 gardai."
A Garda spokeswoman said: "It was a case of home-grown Celtic supporters disagreeing among themselves in O'Connell Street. No one from outside the jurisdiction was involved."
Gardai at Store Street confirmed that reinforcements from "perimeter stations" had to be called out "after the Irish version of Celtic supporters started a riot in O'Connell Street".
Mr John O'Driscoll, who was among the Celtic fans, said they were in good spirits and were singing and dancing in the street. They wanted to "extend the festivities" into O'Connell Street, but were prevented by the strong Garda presence.
A spokesman for Sinn Fein said that some members of Ogra Sinn Fein were among those arrested.