Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Vincent Whelan

Roscommon GAA propose lengthy ban for person involved in alleged assault of referee

The person who allegedly assaulted a referee in Roscommon looks set to receive a 96-week suspension from all GAA activities.

The Roscommon Herald report that the weighty punishment has been recommended by the county's CCC after they read the referee's report.

The U17s match between St. Aidan’s and St. Dominic’s in Ballyforan on August 31 was called off after official Kevin Naughton was taken to hospital in an ambulance.

READ MORE: Limerick GAA slammed as 'tone-deaf' for selling €150 jersey to fund team holiday

The incident prompted a county-wide strike by referees over the lack of respect they are afforded in their roles with verbal abuse widespread and physical examples of abuse also becoming more commonplace.

Footage emerged of the referee lying stricken on the field in Ballyforan, however, no footage has surfaced of an actual assault on the match official.

The alleged incident took place early in the second half when the referee issued a red card to an individual who was not one of the players but who had encroached on the field.

Emergency medical attention was called and the referee was taken to hospital for observation before being released with no significant injury.

In the days after the furore over the incident, Roscommon GAA issued a statement saying that it “strongly condemns any behaviour that puts any of our match officials at risk” and promised a full investigation.

An Garda Síochána has said that it is conducting enquiries into the matter.

READ NEXT:

Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.