Volunteerism - GAA must draw a line in the sand

THE GAA is beginning to earn an unenviable record because of attacks on its match officials.

The organisation must, and there is no reason to imagine that it will not, nip this nasty, unacceptable — and illegal — behaviour in the bud.

Sunday’s brutal attack in Tyrone, in which the referee and a senior official were left unconscious at the end of a ladies’ football match, is just the latest in a series of utterly unacceptable assaults which do untold harm to the image of Ireland’s most popular sporting organisation. It also reflects poorly on wider society, where unacceptable aggression has become almost commonplace.

In a culture where officials might be subjected to such dangerous boorishness, why would anyone volunteer their services? What kind of message does it send to a young generation that has already seen so many of its certainties tumble into ignominy?

The assault was also an attack on the idea of volunteerism, the selflessness shown by so many people that is essential to nearly all the sporting and cultural activities that enrich this society.

Already this year, there have been serious attacks on officials at games in Limerick and Tipperary. In one instance, one of the country’s most experienced and respected hurling referees was assaulted by an individual — it would be wrong to describe that person as a hurling supporter — wielding a hurley. It is near impossible to understand the mindset of someone who imagines that an assault with a deadly weapon on an amateur official is an appropriate response to anything that might happen during a hurling or football match.

We should not forget, and neither should the GAA, that this behaviour is illegal as well as utterly disproportionate. It may just be that the consequences of these attacks will be dealt with by a statutory rather than a sporting authority. Indeed, that might be the best outcome for the GAA, as the police forces north and south of the border have the objectivity and authority not always apparent in the GAA’s disciplinary procedures.

Some organisations are finding it difficult to recruit or retain enough volunteers to run their operations. When considering the great responsibility involved, especially when dealing with children, it is not hard to see why. This is especially so when the authority necessary to safeguard the club and the individuals involved cannot always be easily asserted.

However, the great joy spread by the contributions made by volunteers — think of the Special Olympics in Athens, for example — is something worth defending, and if that means a jail term for a thug who attacks a referee then so be it.

The GAA is one of Ireland’s heartbeat organisations and it is certain that it will protect itself, its officials and, most importantly, the concept of volunteering time and effort to help others reach their potential. That idea is already under threat and the GAA must do all it can to defend it. If that means suspending indefinitely clubs whose members attack officials then that idea must be considered as there is too much at stake.