Gardai and GAA officials investigate violent scenes

Both the Wicklow GAA county board and local gardaí were yesterday attempting to gather more information about violent scenes that forced the abandonment of a minor hurling league match on Sunday.

The problem started some 15 minutes into the match between St Patrick's of Wicklow town and Glenealy, when an exchange of words between supporters sparked a row.

Referee Jimmy O'Shaughnessy - a local councillor - took the decision to abandon the game because of his concern for the safety of players and supporters.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio last evening, former Wicklow hurler Paul Byrne described the serious injuries he sustained.

Attending the match as a supporter of Glenealy, he was also forced to watch as several windows of his car were smashed with two of his three children inside.

"There was a little bit of niggling going on in the game," said Mr Byrne, "but not much. Something small broke out between a couple of the players, and I shouted 'get on with game'.

"With that a couple of the crowd came up and started threatening me . . . Some of the players as well."

Mr Byrne continued: "Later some of them started banging on the back of the car with hurls. And the windows were smashed in, with the kids inside. It was terrifying because the two kids were screaming and roaring and we couldn't get to them.

"I've never witnessed anything like this, and I've been involved with sport all my life. If I was hit the wrong way I mightn't be here to tell the story."

Mr Byrne, one of the better-known players in the county, retired from hurling in Wicklow only two years ago. Two of his nephews were playing on the Glenealy team. He had attended the game with his wife, daughter and twin sons.

The injuries were reported as "bad bruising, with eye and ear wounds, and also stitches on the back of his head".

He was taken to hospital where he required several hours of treatment, before being released on Sunday night.

The Wicklow county board has already received several complaints from spectators at the game, but many of the top county officials were not in attendance. They were in Arklow at the National Hurling League game between Wicklow and Down.

The first stage of their investigation will be to examine Mr O'Shaughnessy's report, due sometime this morning. Though he was sufficiently concerned about the safety of those involved to abandon the game, the investigation seems certain to demand further evidence from representatives of the two clubs.

A spokesman for the county board said disciplinary action would be severe if necessary.

Gardaí were making their own inquires yesterday from several witnesses to the incident. According to a spokesman, it would likely involve a case of criminal damage.