Eight arrested after gardaí break up clashes before FAI Cup Final

Online footage shows brawls and glass bottles being thrown between rival sets of fans in Dublin’s Irishtown area

Two Garda vans were present at the scene and parked up in the middle of the road as members of the force attempted to separate supporters.
Two Garda vans were present at the scene and parked up in the middle of the road as members of the force attempted to separate supporters.

Eight men were arrested after gardaí were forced to break up clashes between rival sets of fans in advance of Sunday’s FAI Cup Final between Derry City and Shelbourne.

Video footage circulated online shows a large group of football fans walking down Irishtown Road chanting and lighting flares on Sunday afternoon.

Clashes then broke out with a rival group of fans gathered outside The Irishtown House pub, where missiles including glass bottles are thrown in both directions.

Shelbourne and Derry City fans clashed ahead of the FAI Cup Final in Dublin.

A number of individuals from both group can be seen running at each other before being restrained by gardaí.

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Two Garda vans were present at the scene and parked up in the middle of the road as members of the force attempted to separate supporters.

A spokeswoman for the Garda said it dealt with a “small number of incidents” at the Aviva Stadium.

She said a total of eight men were arrested, seven of which were arrested for public order offences and were dealt with by adult caution.

One male was arrested in relation to an offence under Section 68 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 and has been charged and will appear before court at a later date.

In the game itself which kicked off at 3pm, Derry City were convincing winners in a 4:0 victory in front of a 32,000-strong crowd at the Aviva Stadium.

There was a strong Garda presence on roads surrounding the stadium as fans left the stadium after 5pm.

Carl O'Brien

Carl O'Brien

Carl O'Brien is Education Editor of The Irish Times. He was previously chief reporter and social affairs correspondent