"I've asked the department to pause all astroturf investments into LOI clubs until I get what I would see as a sufficient response from the FAI and the League of Ireland, to not only protect our investment but to protect innocent patrons as well."
"There were meetings today. That funding will be restored. The other clubs should not be penalised for what happened. Obviously people have to be rigorous and focused on protecting their facilities and this type of behaviour has to be stamped out, there is no question about that."
"The field was damaged by flares in the incident and a 12-year-old boy suffered burns to his face after being struck by a flare."
During a Louth derby match, Drogheda United fans threw flares onto Dundalk's new pitch at Oriel Park, causing damage and injuring a 12-year-old boy with burns to his face. Sport Minister Patrick O'Donovan threatened to pause funding for astroturf pitches to League of Ireland clubs unless hooligan behavior was addressed, stating taxpayers' money should not go up in smoke. Taoiseach Micheál Martin overruled this approach, arguing that well-operating clubs should not be penalized for incidents caused by others. FAI and LOI officials met with O'Donovan to agree on identifying responsible fans. Martin emphasized the need for proportionate response while acknowledging O'Donovan's frustration with the situation.
Read at Irish Independent
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