Former soccer player in court after extradition warrant issued

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

Kenneth Joseph Oman, 41, is wanted to stand trial in that jurisdiction arising out of 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 the 10 December 2016.

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

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

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 stated.

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 outside of that jurisdiction a Belfast court issued a warrant last year seeking his arrest so that he may stand trial.

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 yesterday.

In reply to Amy Deane