Extradition sought for ex-League of Ireland player accused of injuring opponent

A decorated former League of Ireland soccer player has appeared before the High Court in Dublin following an extradition warrant issued by authorities in Northern Ireland.

Kenneth Joseph Oman (41) is wanted to stand trial in the North over an incident that occurred in a match seven years ago.

It is alleged he injured an opponent during the course of a game between the accused's then club, Portadown FC, and North Belfast side Cliftonville.

In the warrant seeking his surrender, Mr Oman, a central defender, is accused of elbowing then Cliftonville player Caoimhin Bonner in the mouth, during the Northern Ireland Football League Premiership tie at Solitude in Belfast on December 10th, 2016.

The incident, which was missed by the referee but was picked up on by TV cameras, resulted in Mr Bonner sustaining a broken upper jaw and two of his front teeth knocked out.

Mr Oman subsequently received a six-match ban from the Irish Football Association, the warrant states.

The matter was also referred to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

It is claimed that Dublin-based Mr Oman was invited to an interview with the police over the incident, but declined to attend, the warrant also states.

Arising out of the incident a single charge of gross bodily harm has been brought against Mr Oman by the Northern Irish authorities.

As he is living in the Republic, a Belfast court issued a warrant last year seeking his arrest so that he may stand trial.

On Monday Mr Oman was brought before a vacation sitting of the High Court in Dublin on foot of the extradition request.

Detective Sergeant Adrian Murray of the Garda Extradition Unit told Mr Justice David Holland that he arrested Mr Oman in Dublin on Sunday, January 7th.

In reply to Amy Deane BL