Bohs in plea to find thugs

BOHEMIAN FC has issued a plea to help identify thugs involved in violence at Dalymount Park during the match with Shamrock Rovers on April 15 last.

A small number of yobs entered the pitch while the Dublin derby was being played in front of a sell-out crowd and the incident is expected to cost the club thousands of euro in FAI fines.

The violence is a massive blow to the club, which has been working hard to strengthen its relationship with the local community and create a welcoming atmosphere at Dalymount.

“It is deeply disappointing to the many volunteers of Bohemian FC that a one-off incident of idiocy and thuggery by a tiny minority has overshadowed those efforts,” a club spokesperson said.

Bohs has thanked true fans for their continued support and for remaining calm during what the club has described as a “brief but extremely regrettable incident”.

“As well as disrupting the game and damaging the image of our proud club, this incident will cost us financially,” the spokesperson added.

Attempts to identify individuals involved in the trouble are ongoing and the club is working closely with its supporters, stewards, the FAI and gardaí.

“We appeal for anyone with footage, photos or any other information that could assist these efforts to come forward and contact the club by email on info@bohemians.ie or by calling 01-8680923.

“Anyone identified as engaging in violent acts in the ground will be banned from attending our games.”

Club officials say initial efforts to identify culprits has suggested that many involved aren’t regular fans.

“These people do not represent our club or our true support, who are incensed that they would seek to hijack and disrupt the special sporting occasion of a Dublin derby.”