Northern Ireland fans attacked — for singing
Monday, 8 September 2008
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Northern Ireland football fans brutally beaten with baseball bats in Bratislava have spoken of their horror at the unprovoked attack.
The supporters were set upon in the Dubliner bar by a group of up to 15 men thought to be from a security firm – just hours before their team took on Slovakia in a weekend World Cup qualifier.
They were beaten with batons, knuckle-dusters and baseball bats and it is understood two fans were knocked unconscious.
Among those requiring hospital treatment were Co Fermanagh friends Anthony Gavin (29) and Matthew Ogle (23), who suffered facial injuries. A number of others were left badly shaken by the terrifying ordeal.
Mr Gavin, from Maguiresbridge, lost seven teeth and his left eye was closed over after his face was smashed. His pal, Matthew, also needed medical attention for an eye injury. Matthew said they were attacked for singing.
“We were all singing and having good fun then the doormen had a problem and moved in and started on my friend. There were weapons – baseball bats, knuckle dusters and stuff like that. It was scary.
“The doormen were waiting for it to happen and then, bang. It’s disgusting to see, you know. It’s a nice place and I’d like to come back but this really doesn’t set a good example, does it?”
Mr Gavin, who had difficulty speaking because of his injuries said the attack would not prevent him supporting Northern Ireland, at home or away.
Eyewitness Billy Wilton, from the Castlereagh/North Down Northern Ireland Supporters’ Club said: “It was sickening, and it came completely out of the blue. All the Northern Ireland fans were in the bar enjoying themselves, annoying nobody and singing Northern Ireland songs.
“Then these guys waded in and handed out beatings to anybody that was in their path. It is the worst violence I have ever seen following Northern Ireland.”
The Irish Football Association have promised to fully investigate the incident.
“The boys said they were in the Dubliner enjoying themselves. Yes, they were singing but then all of a sudden these big men – really big I’m told – stormed into the bar and attacked at will,” said IFA president Raymond Kennedy.
“They were the innocent parties in all of this. Usually when we go away, the police deal with any nonsense that may go on.
“So it’s a major issue for me if this wasn’t the police as we are led to believe it was some form of security firm who decided just to clear the bar. And yes if that was the case then it is assault. We certainly want reports on the incident.
“We have to go through the Slovakian Football Association and British Embassy for answers. Stephen Grange is out here with us and will be asking him to lead our investigation out here and when we get back.
“As far as I know the Slovak police have not spoken to the owners of The Dubliner but I would encourage them to find out who these people were and why they went in there.”
Geoff Wilson, head of the IFA’s Communications and Marketing added: “It was an unprovoked attack that is without doubt. We’ve talked to the guys and given our sympathies. But they’ve told us that it will not stop them coming back to our away games.”
Around 1,500 Northern Ireland supporters were in Bratislava for the match on Saturday.
IFA chief executive Howard Wells said: “From what I can gather it was an unprovoked attack.
“Our fans are always good as gold everywhere they go.” He also praised the fans’ restraint.
Gary McAllister, a spokesman for the Amalgamation of Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs dismissed claims the fans had been singing provocative songs.
“Witnesses told me there was nothing sectarian at all in the songs they sang – it was just football songs.
“I know some of the fans who were attacked and they’ve no history of being involved in anything bad in the past. Maybe they were a bit boisterous, but there was no reason for them to be attacked.”
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34 Comments
i was out side the pub when this attack took place i went to the aid of the guy who lost his teeth and got him an ice pack for his face .there was also a young fella about 18 lying knocked out cold with his dad over the top of him when one of these thugs ran over and started to punch and kick this young man from head to toe ??i also noticed there was cctv up and down this street so the police have no excuse not to find these thugs in slovakia.
Posted by davy lowry | 12.09.08, 12:59 GMT
By the way even if there was secterian songs being sung (which there wasnt cause i was there and witnessed it) what would that have to do with slovakia. i dont remember them being involved in northern irish politics. unprovoked!
Posted by rod | 12.09.08, 10:11 GMT
I am a republic of Ireland fan and must say I am very sorry for what happened to these NI fans in Slovakia, the authorities must apprehend these people and bring them to justice. All reports say that the NI fans were not singing sectarian songs and I go with that, but even if they were it is still no excuse for this horrendous violent act. I wish these fans a speedy recovery and hope the thuggish perpetrators are brought to a speedy justice.
Posted by bps | 12.09.08, 03:34 GMT
GAWA = Green and White Army, the nickname of the Northern Ireland Supporters.
Posted by RS | 09.09.08, 18:39 GMT
I had the dubious pleasure of working on two international aid projects in Bratislava between 1996 and 2008. I am very familiar with the Dubliner Bar in Bratislava. It may interest Ulster readers to know that the original Irish owners were forced out of the bar {and its ownership} by local Slovak mafia and that post communist mafia controls much of Bratislava. My own experience as an Irish - Brit having a meal with a Cypriot Brit was that the owner of the pub ordered me to move (Basil Fawlty style) as the Americian military attache wanted my place at the bar. I had to move as big burley security men appeared. Local Slovaks told me later that such behaviour was unknown during the German and Soviet occupations. That may or may not be true but Bratislava is one tough city of drab tower blocks, As a nation, Slovakia has serious issues with gypsies and Hungarians. As a Southern Irish Brit, I would much prefer NI to Slovakia.
Posted by Stephen | 09.09.08, 14:51 GMT
Forgive my ignorance but can anyone out there tell me what GAWA means?
Posted by Barry | 09.09.08, 12:47 GMT
NI fans have been brave enough to challenge sectarianism and have actively created a more fun, safe and family-orientated atmosphere at international games. Supporters have made the atmosphere at Northern Ireland football games in recent years the envy of Fans across not only Europe but World football. From a personal point of view I would like to thank them for their efforts.
Posted by mickey | 09.09.08, 11:53 GMT
Nigel69 - About 15 people received serious injuries for nothing I was there and witnessed the whole thing - the rest of us were lucky when trapped inside the bar with nowhere to go, had this been any other country or set of fans these thugs would have set on them in the same manner and from researching this particular pub (after the event) it would appear it has a history of violent issues on tourists including a set of fans from ROI who in the past have been beaten up there. Those N. Ireland fans present should be congratulated for showing discipline and restraint for NOT retaliating in the face of extreme aggression and violent provocation. The GAWA does not have a reputation as fighters or thugs, our fans are acknowledged as the best in Europe as recognised by the Brussels International Supporters Award and we just enjoy supporting NI and cheering on our team.
Posted by Nigel | 09.09.08, 11:23 GMT
Those who are delighting in this attack because they assume that Northern Ireland fans are bigots should take a look at their own attitudes. Based on all reports this was an unprovoked attack by an organized gang of armed thugs on a group of unarmed football fans guilty only of supporting their football team. Either you don't believe the reports in which case there is little point in commenting on the story, or you are attempting to justify attacks and beatings on a group of people based on what you perceive as their religious and political background. Is this not the same bigotry that you accuse these fans of? You shout bigot without any evidence that the people concerned have displayed any of your own prejudices. To justify attacking innocent Northern Ireland fans because some other Northern Ireland fans may or may not be bigots is a clear an example of your own intolerance and hatred.
Posted by Ross | 09.09.08, 10:38 GMT
Nigel, how many NI games have you attended? It must be a few in order for you to report that the "Billy Boys" are still evident. My guess is, you've never been to see NI home or away and are therefore just finger-pointing regarding the "Billy Boys" in some form of pathetic point-scoring exercise. That is sooooo 1990's.
Grow up. You might like it.
Now, you say that the flags on show at NI matches are sectarian. A RIDICULOUS opinion in my view, but you are entitled it.
What I want to know Nigel is, what would you like to see on display regarding flags etc. Come on. You must have an opinion.............................................................Nigel?.............has it all gone quiet over there...........Nigel?.............
Posted by mickey | 09.09.08, 10:34 GMT
It makes pretty sad reading some of the posts on here. I too was in the Dubliner before during and after it all kicked off. There was absolutely no singing of a sectarian nature. the songs that we were singing were 'Away in a Manger' and 'Green and White Army'. It may come as a great surprise to many of you to learn that there are a lot of us that deplore sectarian singing at NI games these days. it's been several years now since I heard Billy Boys at a home or away game. The facts are that this was not only an unprovoked attack but it was premeditated to do serious harm as evidenced by the baseball bats and night sticks that these huge men were carrying. There were women and children in the bar with nowhere to go when these guys came in smashing furniture and hitting people at will. had we taken them on it would simpy have caused more bloodshed which will always be the wrong approach when we are simply there to enjoy ourselves and to watch a game of football. get well soon guy
Posted by Colin | 09.09.08, 10:03 GMT
northern ireland fans singing sectarian songs?!?! never!!!!
Posted by all ireland for ever | 09.09.08, 08:36 GMT
Yes Billyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy i have a job am on holidays and i was there supporting OUR WEE COUNTRY so do me a big favour go you and melt
Posted by wilma | 09.09.08, 01:28 GMT
The way the Northern Ireland supporters were treated in Slovakia was a disgrace.The ones who seem to gloat at the treatment of inocent people shows how bitter and warped they really are.I believe the IFA should be pushing this the whole way.The Stormont assembly and Jim allister should be pushing for an investigation into this brutal action.If the police and authorities refuse to act and get justice for the fans,then we should break off all links with Slovakia.
Posted by John | 08.09.08, 22:44 GMT
Wlimaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Have you no job to go to, complaining when people air their opinion on this site, just because it doesn’t gel with your narrow perspective?
Posted by Billy for the Truth | 08.09.08, 17:26 GMT
i have known anthony gavin for quite a number of years and i'm appalled on his behalf that anyone could insinuate that he would be involved in sectarianism. These lads were the victims of a totally unprovoked assault and it is quite clear that the perpetrators wil go unpunished. For the record, i am a northern irish catholic but unlike some i am a true football supporter.
Posted by tom | 08.09.08, 17:03 GMT
I wish the guys hurt a speedy recovery and hope to see them on Wednesday night. This attack was absolutely disgraceful and nothing or no-one can condone it. Gawa!
Posted by Jonny R | 08.09.08, 16:43 GMT
I was in the dubliner bar myself on friday when it all kicked off, and it was the most undeserved thing ever, didnt see it actually kick off, but these boys came into the bar with baseball bats and nightsticks so if they werent lookin for trouble then they must play baseball in bratislava city centre(though no stadiums were seen).
I went to the police after to speak to them, and when i challenged them about it, they suddenly forget to speak english and just said that football fans cause trouble, which is nonsense as far as gawa goes.
As for the boys who said about secterian songs, you're living 15yrs ago! Thers a reason why the gawa keep gettin the award from uefa for ahving the best fans, its cause we kicked out the secterianisn, and are always outnumbered but never outsung!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. C'mon wednesday night
Posted by james | 08.09.08, 16:08 GMT
I suppose it would make it all right if they were sectarian songs, since those poor Slovaks would be very offended by the Sash etc. Probably.
Posted by maggie | 08.09.08, 15:45 GMT
To Paddy and Mickey mouse have you 2 no jobs to go to or do you just love too stirr things up you were not there so i see no reason for your silly comments hope the lads that were caught up in this get well soon and as for billy NORTHERN IRELAND are a great wee team from OUR WEE COUNTRY
Posted by wilma | 08.09.08, 15:39 GMT
34 Comments