Violence erupted as rival soccer fans clashed outside a Dublin bar tonight. Beer kegs and traffic cones were thrown as chanting Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians supporters fought outside the Hill 16 pub on Gardiner Street.
Neither group had been drinking in the bar, with staff believing fans had pre-arranged the mini-riot. "Rovers supporters were coming across town on a bus and saw a group of Bohemians stood outside," said a bar worker.
"They got off the bus and started chanting. Then more Bohemian fans appeared, they seemed to have been waiting nearby for this to happen. "I think they had arranged to meet around here beforehand to have a mini-riot."
The Hoops were taking on the Bohs at Tolka Park in the third round of the FAI Carlsberg Cup in the local derby which kicked off at 7.45pm. Trouble between fans started shortly after 7pm.
One motorist who witnessed the clash said he has to swerve his vehicle for fear of being hit with a keg. "The fight just broke out as I was passing," he said. "The fans were chanting and gardai came pouring on to the scene."
The Hill 16 is better known as a favourite haunt of GAA supporters attending Croke Park. "We have never had any trouble like this before," the bar man continued. "This is the first time we have ever seen anything like this.
"Soccer fans never drink here, it is too far from both Tolka Park and Dalymount Park." A garda spokeswoman said officers were aware of a number of public order offences in the area, but no arrests had been made.
"The Garda Public Order unit is on standby at the scene and will remain in the area throughout the evening until after the match and until all fans have dispersed," she added.