Seven football fans were in custody today as a result of an incident before last night’s FAI eircom League Cup final between Derry City and Bohemians.
The incident occurred at the Tavern Bar in Derry, where, it has been reported, several windows were broken and a girl in her 20s was injured.
Owner Kingsley Curry said there were only four drinkers inside at the time.
‘They were throwing stones and bottles; whatever they could get their hands on. There was no glass left in any of the windows,’ he said.
Bohemians fans have a history of causing trouble & have a reputation of being ne’erdowells with a high amount of pavement barnacles in their ranks
The attack happened at around 7pm last night as fans made their way to the match where Bohemians were handidly beaten by an out of sorts Derry reserve team
A PSNI spokesman said: 'The arrests are a result of good pro-active police work and speedy review of CCTV footage.
FOOTBALL FANS are being blamed for a violent attack on a pub on the edge of Derry’s Fountain Estate shortly before last night’s glamour eircom League Cup Final between Derry City and Bohemians at Brandywell.
Police were called to The Tavern - better known locally as the Talk of the Town - at London Street shortly after 7 p.m. following reports that a number of windows at the pub had been broken.
Bar owner Kingsley Curry said a gang of around 30 males - who he said all had “southern accents” - shattered four windows, broke a number of stools and smashed bottles during the no-warning attack.
He said a number of bar regulars confronted the gang and forced them out onto London Street before jamming the front door shut. Some of the gang then tried to re-enter the bar through the broken windows.
Mr. Curry said: “I have no doubt that these hooligans were from the Republic of Ireland. They all had southern accents. I’ve been told they were up for the big game at Brandywell.”
The pub owner revealed that, at the time of the attack, there were only five people - including two tourists - in the bar. He said one customer sustained a cut to his ear as a result of flying glass while a member of staff received a cut to his hand.
He also claimed that his London Street premises must have been “singled out” to the gang as a “Protestant bar”.
One bar regular added: “We’ve been getting attacked right, left and centre in recent times and solely because we’re recognised as a Protestant bar. In a sense, we stick out like a sore thumb. However, I can assure people that it’s business as usual here. The pub will be open for business tomorrow. These people won’t force us out.”
Mr. Curry added that security at the bar would have to be reviewed in light of last night’s attack.
“We’ll have to have a look at security. Had they all got in, I dread to think what could have happened. Someone could have been seriously hurt.”
Police confirmed last night that a 17-year-old youth had been arrested in connection with the incident at the pub.
If I’d a Euro for every time Rovers Supporters stired shit etc etc.
you might have been able to offer the bozos the money to pay for the damages .
oh wait ,that idea was turned down .
now the 4 gypos have to spend time in chokey where they will get to spend time with uvf larries who will no doubt turn their arses into clowns pockets !!
kinglsy curry hes a hoop he’s a hoop he’s a hoop
kingsley curry he’s a hoop he hates boez.
I read the owner of the pub stated that the fans couldn’t have known that the pub was a protestant local. He stated the the fans could have been told about the boozer being a protestent bar.
I believe these lads were just looking to smash up any place before the match (much like Rover’s Fans do every week in SOUTHERN Ireland) for the craic, and that there was no sectarian feelings.
flango - ive maintained they are a british club at heart - never mentioned religion- in fairness to the gypo hooligans, I think they attacked the first pub that didnt have too many people inside
formed by the british army
originally had a red jersey but after queen victoria died added black as a mark of respect
broke the picket during the lockout
refused to play on sundays
didnt pay tax to the free state till 1937
. Thanks Bandage, i was only having a laugh really.