Mayo man brandished wrench at referee during underage match, court hears

A man has appeared in court in Co Mayo charged in connection with an incident at an underage soccer match.

As reported by the Western People, Tom Blake (66), of Barr na Haille, Claremorris, appeared before Ballina District Court where he pleaded guilty to producing an article and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour in Foxford on August 17th, 2022.

The court the incident took place at an under-14 fixture between Straide & Foxford United and Castlebar Celtic, during which Blake confronted referee Michael McCay.

Garda Sergeant Conor McShane told Judge Fiona Lydon that Blake verbally abused Mr McCay and continued to verbally abuse the referee when he went to the car park.

Sgt McShane said Mr McCay approached Blake's vehicle to note the registration number, and Blake "went to the rear door of the vehicle and pulled out what [Mr McCay] believed to be a wrench".

The referee left the scene and reported the incident at Ballina Garda station, the court heard.

The case was adjourned to January 12th as the court was informed that Mr McCay wishes to make a victim impact statement.

A separate case concerning an incident at an underage sporting fixture was before Porlaoise District Court, in which a mentor and player were charged with the assault of a referee at a minor football game in Co Laois.

Evin Bennett (53) and a player, who was under 17 at the time of the incident and cannot be named due to his age, were found guilty of assaulting referee Michael Tarpey at a league game between Portarlington and Stradbally on May 30th, 2022.

As reported by the Laois Nationalist, the court heard Bennett headbutted the referee shortly before the end of the match, and the Portarlington player punched Mr Tarpey in the subsequent melee.

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