A man whose photograph giving a "Nazi-style" salute at the 1995 Lansdowne Road riot has become the international hallmark of violent English soccer supporters has been given a two-year suspended sentence and banned from the State for 20 years at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court yesterday.
Judge Cyril Kelly told Jerome Lindley: "You have shamed your flag, disgraced your nation and scandalised all true sports supporters."
Judge Kelly said that while it was clear from the evidence that Lindley was not one of the thugs who initiated the riot, there was ample documentary proof to show he used or threatened to use violence that put people's lives in danger.
Lindley (42), of Penny Cressey Road, Newport-Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, England, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Lansdowne Road on February 15th, 1995.
Judge Kelly directed that the £5,000 bail money lodged by Lindley should be divided among various charities and hospitals.
He said that while simply jailing him might seem to be the penalty Lindley deserved, the court did not think the Irish taxpayer should have to foot the £100-aday bill to keep him warm and fed in prison. The Irish Rugby Football Union had also been adequately compensated for the damage.
Judge Kelly ordered £1,500 to be paid out to the Fresh Air Association, a charity which brings deprived children on holiday; £1,500 to the Central Remedial Clinic; and £1,000 each to Temple Street Children's Hospital and the National Children's Hospital.
"At 40 years of age at the time, he was much too old to be acting like a thug and contributing to the destruction of what should have been a festive sporting occasion," Judge Kelly added.
Mr Patrick Marrinan, defending, said that due to his height and shaven head, Lindley stood out in the video recording and in photographs. He had consequently been hounded by the media.
"To say he and his family have been devastated by all this is to put it mildly," said Mr Marrinan. "He has no history of violence and was not associated in any way with the people who started the trouble."
Mr Marrinan said one photograph had been repeatedly printed and was recently published again in magazines. Lindley was married with a 14-year-old son and had lost his employment as a result of the media exposure. He had been ostracised by neighbours, except for those who knew the truth.
Det Sgt Patrick Keane told Mr Fergal Foley, prosecuting, that Lindley was in the Lower West Stand when missiles were thrown from the upper part. He became involved in scuffles and then struggled with gardai when being put out of the ground.
Lindley was the last of the arrested rioters to come before the court. He had no previous convictions. Lindley has since been banned from ever getting a ticket for an English soccer international game.