The middle of Croke Park pitch provided a couple with a venue for an activity not in the GAA rulebook when a girl was discovered in a state of undress and her boyfriend was found lying down beside her, a court heard yesterday.
Students Ms Sinead Duffy (23) and Mr John Clarke (24) pleaded guilty to trespassing with intent. Dublin District Court heard that two gardaí on protection duty on the night before the Clare/Kilkenny All-Ireland hurling final spotted the amorous pair at around 2 a.m.
Mr Clarke, Pinecroft, Douglas, Co Cork, a UCG student and Ms Duffy, Clonliffe Road, Dublin, a TCD student gained access by climbing over the Jones Road gate. Their solicitor said they were deeply embarrassed and there had already been "a certain amount of exposure" in a newspaper about the incident.
The gardaí had accepted they did not enter with an intent to damage or steal anything and they had apologised.
"As President George Bush once said: 'When I was young and irresponsible, I was young and irresponsible'." their solicitor argued.
After reading references, the judge said he was impressed that they had pleaded guilty and were both involved in community work, in particular, Ms Duffy's work with street children in Nairobi. They were remanded on continuing bail to December 11th for payment of €500 each to charity