Three Louth men in court in relation to Leinster SFC attack on ref

Three Co Louth men appeared in court today accused of attacking the referee at last year's controversial Leinster Senior Football final at Croke Park.

Seconds after the final whistle, referee Martin Sludden was confronted by Louth fans after he allowed a goal to Meath in the closing seconds of the crucial match. The Co Tyrone-based referee later admitted that he was wrong to award the goal, which cost Louth the Leinster Championship.

Today, Joseph Conlon (23), of Marlbog Road, Haggardstown, Dundalk, Paul Grimes (50), with an address at Willowdale Bay Estate, Dundalk and Dermot Rodgers (44), of Belfry Gardens, St Alphonsus Road, Dundalk, appeared at Dublin District Court.

They had been summonsed, charged with assaulting Mr Sludden, at Croke Park stadium, on July 11 last year.

The prosecution has been brought under Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act, which on conviction can result in a sentence of up to six months' imprisonment and or a fine.

The three men were not required to speak during today's brief hearing.

Ms Lisa Cassidy BL, counsel for Mr Rodgers and Mr Conlon, asked Judge Bryan Smyth to make an order for the State to provide disclosure of evidence. She explained that she was seeking “CCTV and TV footage of the alleged incident”.

Sean T O'Reilly, solicitor for Mr Grimes, also made a request for the footage “that gardaí may seek to rely on in relation to this matter”.

Garda Sergeant Shay Roche, attached to Fitzgibbon St Garda station, in Dublin, confirmed that there was footage of the incident and agreed that this included “TV footage”.

Judge Smyth made an order for the State to provide disclosure of the evidence sought by the defence lawyers by June 9 next.

He adjourned the case until July 7 when the three defendants are to enter pleas.