Man in court over FAI threat

A DUNDALK football fan, who threatened to set fire to the headquarters of Irish soccer after his home club missed out on promotion, yesterday appeared in court on a public order charge.

Mark Kavanagh, aged 34, of Oakland Park, Dundalk, was arrested after entering, on Wednesday last, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) offices in Dublin city centre.

He had been carrying a container of petrol and vowed to set the offices alight.

Just before Kavanagh was arrested, he poured petrol over himself.

Kavanagh had told reporters that the “FAI had no respect for Dundalk football club and the ordinary Joe Soap supporters”.

Dundalk won a promotion playoff against Waterford United but the match was rendered irrelevant by the FAI’s selection process for the new league of Ireland.

Kavanagh appeared at Bridewell District Court yesterday.

Garda Niall Murray said Kavanagh had been arrested and brought to Pearse Street garda station.

Kavanagh was released on bail of €300 to appear before the court on January 12.

Judge Bryan Smyth was told there was a possibility other charges may be preferred against the Dundalk man.