Drogheda hit with €15,000 fine and away fan ban over Oriel Park incident

Supporters barred from four away games and Oriel Park after pyrotechnics incident injured a child

Fire stewards remove flares from the pitch before the game at Oriel Park. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Drogheda United fans have been banned from the club’s next four away games after using pyrotechnics during the side’s match against Dundalk at Oriel Park on February 20.

The pyrotechnics damaged the pitch and injured a minor, prompting the League of Ireland to release an official statement on Thursday night.

The statement says Drogheda United fans will be banned from attending the club’s next four away fixtures, as well as from Oriel Park for the remainder of the 2026 season.

The club will also pay a €15,000 fine.

A view of the damage to the pitch. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

The official statement read: "Following the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division fixture between Dundalk FC and Drogheda United FC on Friday, 20 February 2026, during which a significant number of pyrotechnic devices were ignited and thrown resulting in an injury to a minor and substantial damage to Oriel Park, an Independent Disciplinary Committee of the FAI has imposed the following sanctions on Drogheda United FC: 

• A fine of €15,000;
• A ban on Drogheda United FC supporters attending the Club’s next four away fixtures;
• A ban on Drogheda United FC supporters attending all fixtures at Oriel Park for the remainder of the 2026 season.

"The League of Ireland and the Football Association of Ireland wish to remind all supporters that the possession, use or throwing of pyrotechnics inside grounds is strictly prohibited at all League of Ireland fixtures. 

"Such conduct presents a serious and unacceptable risk to public safety, causes damage to facilities and will continue to result in disciplinary action."

In a statement, sport minister Patrick O'Donovan welcomed the ruling, saying: "Disciplinary actions like full or partial stadium closures and points deductions remain an option for offences of this nature.

"Let’s not forget that a child was injured here, and it could have been far worse."

Mr O'Donovan commended the FAI and League of Ireland for "acting swiftly".

He said the FAI has also committed to a number of measures, including:

• CCTV will become mandatory at all LOI grounds wishing to host league matches;
• Enhanced detection measures at entry points to stadiums, such as specialist canine security trained to sniff out explosives and incendiary material;
• Refusal of entry and/or ejection from the stadium if a person engages in this activity, followed by a stadium ban.