Minister of State says all clubs should not be punished for Drogheda fans' vandalism of Oriel Park

Minister of State at the Department of Sport Charlie McConalogue has said he does not believe all clubs should be punished for the actions of some Drogheda fans during last month's Louth Derby. 

It comes after Minister for Sport Patrick O'Donovan said he would pause all funding for artificial pitches to League of Ireland clubs after the use of flares by some Drogheda United fans during the match at Dundalk's Oriel Park, which left a 12 year-old boy injured.

Sinn Féin TD for Louth Ruairí Ó Murchú told Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Charlie McConalogue that what happened at Oriel Park on February 20 was ‘an absolute disgrace’ and said his thoughts go out to the injured 12-year-old.

He said security at League of Ireland games needs to be looked at.
Deputy Ó Murchú said: “Everybody will tell you that the problem is that minors cannot be patted down. Unfortunately, some people will use minors and attempt to take flares into games.

“As much as the FAI might have a zero-tolerance approach, people have seen them. They are used for dramatic effect with lots of colour, etc. What was different in this scenario is that it was very organised and flares were used to burn a pitch. This has to be called out. It has brought the issue to a head”.

Deputy Ó Murchú said the incidents at Oriel Park had caused tens of thousands of euros worth of damage to the new pitch and while he welcomed the co-operation between Dundalk FC and Drogheda United, ‘there is a necessity for Drogheda United to pay this money’.

He said the announcement by Minister for Sport, Patrick O’Donovan that there would be a pause for funding applications from the League of Ireland for astroturf pitches after the Oriel Park damage ‘was not helpful in any way’

In response, Minister McConalogue said what happened at Oriel Park ‘was an abhorrent and criminal act’. He said his thoughts were with the 12-year-old and those who were distressed by what happened.

“What we saw was criminal damage to a wonderful new facility. We must stamp out that behaviour. I know that the Garda is following up the criminal behaviour that took place on the night. I have no doubt it will do that thoroughly. We must all work to address these unacceptable instances.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time we have seen them. It is incumbent on clubs, the FAI, the Government and community and political leaders to work together to achieve that”.

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However, Minister McConalgue appeared to disagree with Minister O’Donovan about the funding pause.

He said: “I agree with him absolutely on the need to come down like a tonne of bricks to stamp out this behaviour. However, I do not believe we should collectively punish all clubs for the criminal behaviour of a small number of people participating in hooliganism.

“We want to support the continuing growth of the League of Ireland. We want to support our clubs. We want to ensure that it is a safe environment. We will work with the clubs and FAI
as a national governing body to make sure that a satisfactory way forward is achieved”.