Ex-League of Ireland player volunteers to face charge of breaking opponent's jaw

The offence carries a maximum punishment of seven years’ imprisonment in the UK

Ken Oman playing for Shamrock Rovers in 2013. He also played for Derry City, Bohemian FC and St Patrick's Athletic. The incident is said to have happened when he played for Portadown FC against Cliftonville in 2016. File picture: Eddie O'Hare

A three-time League of Ireland winner and former Ireland u21 player has consented to his surrender to Northern Ireland, where he is wanted to face charges that he broke another player’s jaw during a football match.

Ken Oman (41) is wanted in Belfast in relation to an incident that occurred in a match seven years ago. It is alleged he injured an opponent during a game between Mr Oman's then club Portadown FC and North Belfast side Cliftonville.

The former centre back is accused of elbowing then Cliftonville player Caoimhín Bonner in the mouth during a Premiership game at the Solitude football ground in Belfast on December 10, 2016.

The incident, which was captured by TV cameras, resulted in Mr Bonner sustaining a broken upper jaw and having two of his front teeth knocked out. Mr Oman received a six-match ban from the Irish Football Association, the warrant states.

The warrant states that the matter had been referred to the PSNI, who invited Mr Oman to attend an interview, but the defendant declined to do so.

Today's proceedings

At the High Court on Tuesday, Marc Thompson Grolimund BL, for Mr Oman, said his client was voluntarily surrendering himself to authorities in the North and had engaged a solicitor there.

Mr Oman, of Glasnevin Downs, Dublin 11, spoke only to confirm to Mr Thompson Grolimund that he had been fully advised of his legal options and that he was fully aware of the implications of his surrender to Northern Ireland to face prosecution. Mr Oman then signed his consent papers and handed them to the registrar.

Ms Amy Deane BL, for the Minister for Justice, said the warrant, endorsed in the Republic in November of last year, stated that the offence of this form of grievous bodily harm carries a maximum punishment of seven years’ imprisonment in the UK.

Ms Deane said Mr Oman had been abiding by his bail conditions and has been signing on at a Dublin Garda Station.

Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo said he would order the surrender having been satisfied that Mr Oman had received professional legal advice and that there was no issue with bail. Mr Justice Naidoo said Mr Oman's extradition to authorities in the North is to take place within a maximum period of 20 days.

During his career, Mr Oman played for Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers, Derry City and St Patrick's Athletic, winning three leagues and three FAI Cups among other honours and represented the Republic four times at u21 level.