A Claremorris man brandished a wrench at a referee after an underage soccer match, a court has heard.
Tom Blake, aged 66, of Barr na Haille, Claremorris, pleaded guilty at Ballina District Court to the production of an article and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour in Foxford on August 17, 2022.
Sgt Conor McShane told the court that gardaí were called to the home pitch of Straide and Foxford Utd at 7.30pm after the defendant confronted referee Michael McCay during an U14 fixture between Castlebar Celtic and Straide and Foxford United.
“He began verbally abusing him and he called him a ‘Tan b*****d’ a number of times,” said Sgt McShane. “Mr McCay informed the Castlebar Celtic coach that he was going to make a complaint to the FAI about the incident.”
Mr McCay then left the pitch and went to the car park where Blake continued to verbally abuse him.
“Mr McCay then approached the vehicle belonging to Mr Blake and attempted to record the registration number,” Sgt McShane explained. “Mr Blake went to the rear door of the vehicle and pulled out what [Mr McCay] believed to be a wrench.”
When Mr McCay saw Blake with the wrench in his hand, he ran to his own vehicle, left the area, and made a complaint at Ballina Garda Station.
Solicitor Tom Walsh said his client wished to apologise for his behaviour and had compensation of €500 for the complainant.
“A member of Mr Blake’s partner’s family was playing, and he took exception to some of the decisions,” Mr Walsh added.
The solicitor said his client has some medical issues, but there is still no reasonable justification for his actions.
“It is inexcusable, there is absolutely no explanation whatsoever,” Mr Walsh said. “He accepts fully that his conduct on the day was totally unacceptable. He actually cannot explain what came over him because his own family is very much involved in sport at the same level as the victim.”
Sgt McShane said the referee would like to make a victim impact statement to the court.
Judge Fiona Lydon adjourned the case to January 12 to hear from Mr McCay.
