Football fan who struck at elderly volunteer at Longford Town match three times with flag pole likely to escape conviction

John Michael Moorhouse (21) of 86 The Green, Clonard Village, Wexford was charged in connection with a violent incident at a soccer match last year.

The defendant faces a charge that on June 10, 2022 at Longford Town Football Club, Bishops Gate, Strokestown Road, Longford he did commit violent disorder in that, with other persons, he used or threatened to use unlawful violence as would cause a person of reasonable firmness to fear for his safety.

Details of the incident that brought the defendant before Judge Bernadette Owens were outlined by Sergeant Mark Mahon. The away fans had travelled to the game by bus. The sergeant said elements of the visiting Bray Wanderers fans were causing a disturbance at the Longford Town home game.

They were shouting and making gestures at the Longford supporters. Stewards of the home team endeavoured to hold back a group of the Bray supporters. As the trouble at the football grounds started to escalate the stewards tried to hold a fence separating the Longford town fans and the Bray supporters. Sgt Mahon said the visiting supporters were abusive and aggressive.

The defendant was shouting at the steward, then took a flag pole and struck at the injured party, who was endeavouring to hold the fence in place, three times. Footage of the incident was being recorded by some of the Bray fans, who uploaded it to social media. The footage was widely shared.

Gardaí were called to the scene and when they arrived the disruptive Bray supporters dispersed.

Sergeant Mahon said an extensive Garda investigation was undertaken and this led to the identification of Mr Moorhouse from the video recording. Judge Owens said she would accept jurisdiction over the incident.

Solicitor Brid Mimnagh told the court her client had no previous convictions. The solicitor said the defendant made a voluntary statement and apologised to the elderly man who was the subject of Mr Moorhouse's attack.

Ms Mimnagh said her client was “ashamed of his behaviour” adding: “He was in a bad place at the time. His marriage was breaking up and subsequently broke up. He went into Cluain Mhuire for treatment and is in a much better place now.”

The solicitor said the defendant accepted full responsibility for his actions: “He was well brought up. He maintains derogatory remarks were made at him at the time.”

Ms Mimnagh said the defendant "wants to deal with the matter and move on".

Judge Owens said that it was clear others were involved and that as the defendant has no previous convictions if he makes a donation of €400 to the court poor box she would consider dealing with the matter by way of a Section 1.1 of the Probation of Offenders Act.