Paisley wants PSNI brought in

Tyrone v Dublin controversy: Ian Paisley junior has called on the GAA to co-operate with the PSNI in investigating the melee that broke out in the Tyrone-Dublin NFL match nine days ago.

Paisley, who is the DUP's Justice spokesperson and a Policing Board member, was speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback programme.

"First of all, I think that the GAA should co-operate with the police and should encourage the TV companies to make video footage available, and they should ask the police to make an example of those players and spectators, who involved themselves in such acts of shame and thuggery, and they should see to it that prosecutions do take place.

"Importantly, in order to confidence-build, in order to show the GAA are fully supporting the police and law and order, they too should be putting up their members and saying, 'you've got to be made answerable for these actions', which are nothing short of thuggery and unlawful."

Questioned about the appropriateness of police intervention in field sports, and specifically about Scott Murray's dismissal for kicking an opponent during Scotland's Six Nations match against Wales, Paisley replied: "I think there is a level of tolerance in one-on-one incidents," before going on to claim, as a former Collegians player, that violence in rugby is comparatively rare.

"What amazes me is the way people wash their hands of this in particular fraternities, where it's 'och well, it's just one of those things in sport'. It's not. What we saw was wrong, and I believe that what must now happen is that the police must be allowed investigate it and have people brought to book over it."

Asked for a GAA response, PRO Danny Lynch said: "It's refreshing to see Ian Paisley junior taking an interest in the affairs of the GAA."

It seems such interest isn't running particularly deep just yet. When Paisley was asked at the end of the interview who he was tipping for this year's championship, he replied: "I've no idea. Who's in for it? I don't actually follow the particular sport - I'm more of a petrol head, I'm into motor racing. But I'm sure anyone in Northern Ireland would like to see a northern team win it."

Meanwhile, further reaction to the match came yesterday from Tyrone County Board chair Pat Darcy, who severely criticised media coverage.

"I condemn the naming of a number of GAA players, including Tyrone players, by sections of Sunday's newspapers, citing their involvement in alleged incidents over recent years," Darcy said in a statement.

"These are unwarranted attacks on amateur players who are in no position to defend themselves. The Tyrone and Dublin players have been tried and found guilty by sections of the media over the past week.

"These players were expected to play in Sunday's National Football League game with a cloud hanging over them. In the current climate it is difficult to see how any of these players can have a fair hearing."

Darcy went on to take issue with the length of time the Central Disciplinary Committee (CDC) investigation had taken, as well as GAA president Seán Kelly's statement on the evening of the match.

"The intense media speculation and accusation is not discouraged by the length of time the Central Disciplinary Committee is taking in reaching conclusions on their video evidence.

"Contrast this disgraceful manner in dealing with our amateur players with the speedy resolution to the case of a professional rugby player cited for an incident in the Ireland v Italy game, but cleared three days later. I am very angry about this.

"I am also angry about press-media comments attributed to Seán Kelly. His comments may be contaminating due process and placing undue pressure on the Central Disciplinary Committee. The independence of the Central Disciplinary Committee must be upheld in relation to disciplinary matters."

Kelly was critical of the scenes of disorder at the match and re-iterated his condemnation the following day, describing the misbehaviour as "unacceptable" and promising a full investigation by the CDC.

It is expected that word concerning any players facing charges will emerge later today.