A footballer who knocked a soccer referee unconscious with a blow to the head has been jailed for six months.
Judge Michael Pattwell handed down the sentence at Mitchelstown District Court, Co Cork, yesterday. He insisted that violence on the playing pitch must be treated as a criminal act.
Ian Buckley (28), Bridesbridge, Castlelyons, Co Cork, admitted to assaulting referee Eamonn Cusack during the course of a West Waterford/ East Cork junior league game at Bridesbridge on October 16th, 2005.
The court heard that Buckley had struck Mr Cusack in the 82nd minute of the game, which was subsequently abandoned, after he ruled "no foul" on a tackle despite the defendant's contention that a free kick was in order.
In a written statement to the court, Mr Cusack said he was making notes in his handbook when the assault occurred. He stated that before he knew what was happening, he was knocked to the ground and the blow had left him with a black eye and injuries to his left cheekbone.
He had never before experienced such violence in his role as referee, he said.
Buckley's solicitor David Lane said his client was attending anger management counselling in Cork since the incident and had paid €1,000 in compensation to Mr Cusack.
"It is his first time in court and he is sorry for his actions. He is seeking to address his anger issues," said Mr Lane.
Judge Pattwell, who noted that Ian Buckley had been sporting the same number as French footballer Zinédine Zidane, said such sporting violence must be addressed through the courts if it was to be stamped out.
"Whether it is you or a French man playing in the World Cup, to assault another person is reprehensible," Judge Pattwell said. "This macho image attached to sport will not be taken out unless these incidents are treated as a criminal act. If charges are brought against players then there might be a lot less of this kind of thing."
He said match referees gave up their free time with very little compensation.