Two grown men ‘let themselves down badly’ in scuffle

Former Irish rugby international Terry Kennedy told a judge yesterday that “two grown men had let themselves down very badly” in a sideline scuffle at a schoolboys soccer match.

Mr Kennedy was giving evidence in a case in which amateur referee and GP, Michael O’Tierney, was awarded damages for assault against Gary Talbot.

Mr Kennedy, who faced the might of the All-Blacks in 1978, told how he dragged one man off the other after both had made a swipe at each other and had fallen to the ground.

Dr O’Tierney, of St Kevin’s Park, Dartry, Dublin, claimed in the Circuit Civil Court that, on Aug 26, 2010, while refereeing an under-14 soccer match, Mr Talbot, of Kenilworth Square North, Rathgar, Dublin, punched him several times following an on-pitch incident involving some of the players.

He told his counsel, Michael Hourican, that Mr Talbot had walked onto the pitch at Bushy Park, Terenure, and had struck him in the face and head with his fists. He denied having headbutted or having attempted to headbutt Mr Talbot, who was a spectator.

Circuit Court President, Mr Justice Raymond Groarke, awarded Dr O’Tierney €3,000 damages for assault but dismissed a claim by Dr O’Tierney for damages for defamation of character. He also dismissed a counter-claim by Mr Talbot for assault on him by Dr O’Tierney.

Judge Groarke said Aug 26, 2010, had been a very sad day for Bushy Park Rangers and for two people whose children received great pleasure from the club. It was most regrettable the case should have come as far as it had.

The court heard that a player had been sent off following a tackle. Mr Talbot alleged Dr O’Tierney had charged at him and he had taken a few strides onto the pitch to meet his charge. He said he may have punched Dr O’Tierney at least once.

Awarding €3,000 damages and district court costs, Judge Groarke said Dr O’Tierney’s injuries had relatively minor consequences for him and he had recovered within 10 days.