Soccer hooliganism is becoming a serious problem in Ireland

  • 26 October 2007
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A report in October's Garda Review says that the number of gardaí now needed to police club soccer matches with more than 3,500 people in attendance is similar to number required to police the All-Ireland Final at Croke Park.

  

There have been several violent incidents between supporters of Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians this year. During one encounter, several Shamrocks supporters were injured and two were hospitalised as a result of missiles, bricks and bottles being thrown at them. A missile was thrown at the Bohemians Manager at a tournament in Longford this year.
Inspector Tony Gallagher says hooligans “are using drugs to get the psyche right for aggression and violence against rival groups” and are “totally fixated”.

Inspector Gallagher says that ‘home-grown hooligans' are providing accommodation for hooligans from to UK to come to Ireland and provide tactical assistance and knowledge of what has worked against police in the UK.
Irish hooligans are generally in full employment some of them are known to be schoolteachers and accountants. According to the report, hooligans are aged from 13 to 40 years, but the more dedicated members are a core group of people in their late twenties.
 

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