Assault on GAA ref attracts 14,000 hits on YouTube

ALMOST 14,000 people have so far logged onto video-sharing website YouTube to see footage of a Tipperary referee being viciously assaulted at one of the weekend’s hurling matches by someone in the crowd.

The mobile phone footage shows Willie Barrett being hit twice in the middle of a game between Tipperary’s Carrick Davins and Ballingarry.

The incident occurred 10 minutes into the game and following the assault Mr Barrett called a halt to proceedings.

During the 77-second footage which appeared online, the assailant is seen running onto the pitch wearing a grey long-sleeve top and dark tracksuit bottoms after minor jostling has broken out on the pitch. He appears to take a full swing at the referee, striking him on his back. Mr Barrett then tries to get away from his attacker and fends off another blow with his hand.

Then amid calls for the match to be abandoned the assailant calmly walks off the pitch again.

The GAA and the Gardaí have launched two separate investigations into the incident.

The original footage showing the incident was taken off the website yesterday afternoon after 13,633 people had viewed it.

However, within hours it was back up under a different title and a further 300 people had played it by yesterday evening.

“What a coward – sneaks up behind and draws a swing. He deserves beating with a hurl himself,” one viewer posted after viewing the footage.