Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There have been very sinister happenings over the last few years, which I do not think people fully recognise, and I do not know how we can deal with them. I refer to football hooliganism at League of Ireland matches. Very small crowds are going to these matches. I read that last weekend that casuals from Bury and Wrexham were siding with Shamrock Rovers supporters and fighting Bohemians supporters. This has been going on for quite a while and it is something I raised before. I am very concerned that public safety could be at risk. The Garda has to deal with maybe 50 or 100 fans fighting with one another. It does not happen at Gaelic football matches. I was a League of Ireland supporter and a Republic of Ireland supporter 30 years ago and this is a worrying trend. I would like to find out what exactly it is costing to police these events. Casuals are coming here from Wrexham and Bury and it appears they are siding with Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians or otherwise. These are not the tourists we want. We need to have a debate and to look at legislation on banning orders. I believe one senior member of the Garda said there is nothing that he can do. There are no banning orders to stop somebody who is intent on causing mayhem and trouble and throwing bottles from attending these matches. I am concerned that it is an issue we are allowing to go under the radar. We have a great reputation as Republic of Ireland supporters and GAA supporters. This is a tiny minority who seem to have a voice. They must be stopped and we should have a debate on the issue.