Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

As Members are aware, Ireland recently played Russia in a soccer international in Moscow. Unfortunately, despite the fantastic record of Irish soccer supporters around the world, this trip turned into a nightmare. A mob of over 100 Russian people set upon 20 Irish fans, throwing bottles, chairs, firebombs and tables at them. The vicious mob even had blades inserted in their shoes, which they wielded indiscriminately at the Irish fans. This is made more horrific by the fact that it was not spontaneous; it was well organised. The Irish fans had to scramble up trees and over fences as they ran for their lives. One fan was severely beaten when he fell and was attacked by the group. The victims believe that the aim of the attack was to trap the Irish fans in their tent and set fire to it while they were inside. Two fans suffered stab wounds to the stomach, another a gash to the head, while many others suffered blade wounds and beatings.

Another horrific aspect to the case is that when the supporters turned to the local police for assistance, the police did nothing for them and even asked them for money. When the ambulance service arrived, the crews laughed at the victims, even though they had been badly beaten. The Moscow police disappeared during the attack. No one made any effort to help the fans. Even the secretary of the Irish Embassy did not arrive until two days later, when they were leaving Moscow. The Irish supporters were so terrified they did not attend the game. Items were stolen from their hotel rooms and they were so fearful for their safety that they barricaded themselves into those rooms. One Carlow man feared he would be returning to Ireland in a body bag.