Four people were fined in the Dublin District Court yesterday after pleading guilty to public order offences arising from what gardai described as a "riot" involving Celtic football supporters in O'Connell Street last month.
Joe Breen (29), originally from Scotland but now living in Donnery Court, Shankill, Co Dublin, was fined £250; Maurice Meredith (19), of Harelawn Avenue, Clondalkin, £100; Paddy O'Rourke (31), of Ring Street, Inchicore, £200; and James McNally (23), of Rathingle Cottages, Swords, £150.
All were fined under Sections 4 and/or 6 of the Public Order Act, relating to breach of the peace and intoxication so as to be a danger to oneself or others.
Gardai said the four were arrested on the evening of April 29th with a number of other people who had been watching a televised "Old Firm" derby between Celtic and Rangers in a pub off O'Connell Street.
They were said to be fighting among themselves, highly intoxicated and abusive, calling gardai various names. which included "scumbags" and "Free State bastards".
Asked by Judge David Anderson if he used these terms, McNally replied: "Never, your honour". McNally said he had had eight to 10 bottles of beer on the day and spent £60-£80, some of which went towards a ticket for the Sidewalk Bar where a function was being held for Celtic fans.
Ms Mary C. Dillon, solicitor for Breen, said her client had "suffered in his own way" from the incident. He had sustained a broken nose and blows to the side of his head which required treatment. The cases of a number of other people charged in relation to the incident will be heard on June 5th and 20th and November 19th.