Sports Minister ‘shocked’ by number of attacks on GAA referees

'We’re shocked by the number of instances in the last couple of weeks and there should be no threatening or abusive behaviour against any match official, in any code,' he said

THREATENED: 'They are essential to the function of our game and indeed in all sports, and they need to be protected and respected.' 

MINISTER for Sport, Jack Chambers has called on Sport Ireland to engage with all sporting bodies about the growing crisis of retention of referees, in the wake of a spate of attacks on GAA match officials.

During a Budget 2023 briefing Wednesday - in which an energy fund of €35m was announced for sports clubs and grassroots organisations - the Minister-of-State at the Department of Sport and Gaeltacht was asked if he had spoken to the GAA about the recent violence at club games.