Milk cup teams attacked
Thursday, 31 July 2008
Milk cup teams attacked
Milk cup teams attacked
There has been widespread condemnation of attacks on two Dublin-based teams attending the Milk Cup in Coleraine.
Police were called to a disturbance at Cromore Court where Crumlin United and Cherry Orchard were staying, shortly before 10.30pm on July 28.
It is understood a number of stones were thrown at a property and sectarian abuse shouted at a number of people staying in the area.
A 19-year-old man has been released on bail pending further inquiries..
PRO for the Milk Cup, Jim Sandford, said: "As far as I know a number of young fellas, at least one of whom was fairly intoxicated, were walking past Cromore Court and realised a number of Republic of Ireland teams were staying there.
“They began hurling verbal abuse at them, calling them all sorts of names, and the teams thought it would be safer to move players to the back of the house. However the house backed onto the railway, and the thugs were able to get into a field and hurl bottles and stones at the building and one window was broken.
“Our people were called at the University and when they arrived abuse was thrown at them. When the police sirens were heard the young hooligans ran off."
The two teams have since worked with the Milk Cup organisers and have been relocated.
Mr Sandford continued: "We utterly condemn this incident. We bring teams to Northern Ireland in the hope they will enjoy playing football, and the vast majority of people give them a tremendous welcome.
“We have 54 teams here and about 10,000 to 12,000 people turned out to welcome them, that is the sort of people we like to see at the Milk Cup, we don't want youngsters intent on drinking and causing trouble.
“This is the first incident of this nature in 26 years and it has been dealt with by the teams and ourselves, and we can now get on with playing football."
SDLP Assembly Member John Dallat has called for a review of 'Hate Crimes' following the attacks
He said: "These attacks are disgusting in the extreme and those involved are such a contrast to the young people from Dublin competing in the Milk Cup.
“I feel sorry for the organisers who, in the most difficult of times in the past, have managed to keep the Milk Cup going.
“How angry they must now be that in what is supposed to be a time of peace we have this 'low life' taking away the positive focus which is, quite rightly, on this prestigious competition which has captured the attention of football enthusiasts worldwide.
“Sadly, reported hate crimes in Coleraine are up very considerably over the last three months and that is a concern for the police and the District Policing Partnership as well as the wider community.
“In the same period there has been a four-fold increase in the number of detections for on-street drinking and that is welcome but it also indicates that there is a need to target those off-licences that are providing alcohol to the so-called 'blue bag under-age brigade' which I believe were involved in this disgraceful attack.
“There is an urgency to review the penalties for involvement in hate crimes of this type. In the meantime the courts have a critical role to play in putting behind bars those involved.
“Our visitors from every part of the world who are participating in the Milk Cup are always made most welcome and that will continue for many years to come.
“The only things that should change are a new determination to stamp out hate crimes of this type and a new drive to influence the legal system to take seriously the need to introduce zero tolerance for anyone involved in hate crimes, sectarianism or racism of any kind."
