No hatred charge for fan who flung banana

A soccer fan who flung a banana in the direction of Manchester City player Gael Clichy during a friendly against Limerick FC at Thomond Park last August is not to face an incitement to hatred charge.

Thu, 10 Jan, 2013 - 00:00

Jimmy Woulfe, Mid-West Correspondent

Following a Garda investigation, the DPP has directed the matter be brought before the district court as a summary matter, rather than on indictment to the circuit court under the Incitement to Hatred Act 1989.

A person convicted of incitement to hatred in the circuit court could face a maximum penalty of fine of €10,000 and two years in jail.

The man is expected to be brought before Limerick District Court on a public order summons in the coming weeks.

Following the game, French international Clichy wrote on twitter that “bananas” were thrown onto the pitch as he played. The defender tweeted: “How sad to see ‘bananas thrown on the pitch’ tonight... Knowing people around the world need food. #nowordsforthis.”

One banana was flung from a standing area about 15m from where the Manchester City team and management were sitting.

The incident garnered international coverage and caused public anger in Limerick where former mayor, Cllr Joe Leddin, said: “I’m disappointed, as someone who is involved in actively encouraging people into the city. It’s very regretful but I’d like to think it’s a one-off. I don’t recall any incident like it before.”

Limerick FC in a statement after the game said: “An incident of this nature is completely unacceptable and is fully condemned by Limerick FC and Thomond Park.”

One tweeter replied to Clichy’s Twitter allegation by apologising to him “on behalf of the people of Ireland”.

A man was arrested some days after the game and a file was sent to the DPP.

Under the 1989 Incitement to Hatred Act a person can be charged for behaviour which is threatening, abusive or likely to stir up hatred against a person on account of race, colour, nationality, religion, ethnic/national origins, sexual orientation or for being a member of the Travelling community.