A former RTÉ cameraman has claimed he was battered and beaten by English soccer fans before they boarded a ferry after riots in Lansdowne Road stadium which ended a "friendly" soccer international between England and Ireland seven years ago.
Mr John Hall (46) of Upper Drumcondra Road, Dublin, said he was filming the fans boarding a ferry at Dún Laoghaire when he was attacked by some of them, who spat, kicked and punched him to the head and body. As a result, he claims to have experienced psychological and back problems and that a testicular problem was exacerbated.
He is suing for negligence the Football Association of Ireland, the English Football Association, the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána, the State and RTÉ.
All the defendants deny Mr Hall's claims. The State and the Garda also claim Mr Hall voluntarily consented to accept the risk and was guilty of contributory negligence in failing to stay a sufficient distance from the English supporters.
Mr Hall, in evidence, said he had initially been assigned to the riots at Lansdowne Road where the fans seemed to be out of control. Along with the "soundman" and reporter he was told by the RTÉ newsdesk to go to DúLaoghaire. Football fans who were coming off the train before boarding the ferry were filling out the roadway.
He was looking through the viewfinder of his camera when there was a sudden surge. He was overwhelmed and felt kicks and punches. He went down on his knees and was holding the camera. Suddenly the crowd "broke off". He was in shock, upset and could not function.
Within a month of the incident he had gone to his GP and some months later he knew he needed help. He was absent from work for almost a year, came back to work in other areas and finally resigned in June 1997.
The hearing continues today.