Derry City FC club director Tony O’Doherty warns any more incidents of trouble could see the club kicked out of the league and cup competitions
DERRY City has apologised after a young Dundalk fan had to be treated in hospital last night after being attacked outside the Brandywell ground.
The supporter was hit on the head with a bottle by a mob of up to 60 thugs as he left the ground.
He was taken to the accident and emergency department at Altnagelvin Hospital but his injuries were not said to be life threatening.
The youth was later released but after missing his coach home he was taken by a number of Dundalk supporters back home around 12.30 am.
The incident may result in Dundalk fans not returning to the Brandywell for any future games.
Fans say there was no police presence outside the ground for Dundalk fans leaving after the game.
The PSNI say they will meet with the club to review arrangements and a senior officer has appealed for anyone with information about the attack to contact police on the 101 number.
Club director Tony O’Doherty said the incident “spoiled what had been a tremendous atmosphere in the ground during the cup tie”.
He warned that if such trouble continued it could have grave implications for the club’s status in the League of Ireland.
“The stark facts facing us is that if this continues somebody is going to get seriously hurt or there could be a fatality.
“I am not trying to abdication responsibility, but this attack happened in our city outside our football ground.
“There is a wider problem in the area and it is a problem for a wider society. It is a problem for everyone.
“Of course I fear for the future of the club. But I also fear that somebody is going to be badly hurt or fatally injured.
“Those behind this have tarnished the good name of the city, Derry City and The Brandywell.”
The Dundalk fans and their coach were attacked at Lecky Road by a gang hell bent on causing trouble following Derry’s 2-1 defeat in the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup replay.
Describing the behaviour as “disgraceful”, Councillor Gary Donnelly said a teenager was hit with a bottle in the incident:
“A number of travelling fans had to be protected in a local bar after their bus was attacked.
“Windows were broken, tyres slashed and UTH and other slogans sprayed on it.
“A 14 year old was bottled on the back of the head and an elderly gentleman accompanying him pushed to the ground.
“The visiting fans only left the city at 11.15 pm after a crowd of young people dispersed.
“Cllr Darren O’Reilly and myself escorted them out of the area as far as Prehen.”
Former Derry City star and soccer pundit Liam Coyle described the incident as “disgraceful”.
He said that there was a group of people going round the area causing mayhem, adding: “People know who they are and they should be telling the right people.”’
Sinn Féin Councillor Patricia Logue has condemned those responsible for the attack on the young boy and for vandalising the Dundalk supporter’s bus.
Councillor Logue said: “What happened to the Dundalk supporters and one of their buses is absolutely disgraceful.
“I would like to commend local residents, community workers and CRJ who came to their aid and tried to help them as best they could.
“Once again this area, the local football club is being left to pick up the pieces after a gang came here intent on starting trouble, causing injury and damaging property.
“They need to hear very clearly they do not represent this community or Derry City Football Club.”