GAA condemns 'shocking' stabbing at under-16 match in Tyrone
A man has been arrested after a stabbing at an under-16s Gaelic football in Co Tyrone in which two people were injured, according to police.
PSNI remained at the scene late on Thursday night after responding to a report of a stabbing incident at the sports ground in the Convent Road area of Cookstown.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) also attended after receiving a 999 call at 9.03pm and found that two people had sustained stab wounds during the incident.
Following assessment and initial treatment, one man was taken to Antrim Area Hospital while the other injured person received treatment at the scene.
A man, aged in his 40s, has been arrested and will be taken to custody for questioning.
The GAA has condemned the incident in "the strongest possible terms".
"As an organisation we have a duty of care to protect our volunteer officials and the events that unfolded in Cookstown are totally unacceptable.
"We will work with the PSNI and our units, at both county and club level, to establish the facts around what occurred and, in the meantime, we extend our best wishes to those who were injured in the incident.
"Any supports required for our underage players and members will be provided."
Tyrone GAA said it is aware of "an incident which occurred at one of our underage fixtures" and it will be conducting an "investigation into the circumstances".
"As the organising body, we treat this incident most seriously, and will be offering our support to those affected. We can make no further comment at this time," said a statement on Friday.
Cookstown Fr Rocks Gaelic Football Club said it was working to support children who witnessed the incident.
A statement added: “Following a very serious incident at Padraig O’Cuilinn Pairc this evening during an Under-16 Championship match our thoughts are with the individuals impacted by it.
“The committee will now work to ensure that children and young people who witnessed this disturbing and very serious incident have the support and assistance that they require in the coming days.
“The club will be making no further comment on this.”
Local reporter Alan Rodgers told Today with Claire Byrne that the man taken to the hospital was one of the umpires at the game.
He received stab wounds to his leg during the incident, which took place towards the end of the match.
Alliance councillor for Omagh Stephen Donnelly said he was “deeply concerned” by the incident.
“My thoughts are with all the young people and children who were unfortunate enough to witness such a shocking act of violence,” he added.
SDLP spokesperson for reconciliation and sport Justin McNulty has called for the introduction of a zero tolerance policy on incidents like the stabbing incident.
The event had been a “really horrible ordeal and for it to have happened in front of youngsters was “just unacceptable.”
Mr McNulty told RTÉ radio’s that the incident was not reflective of the two clubs involved in the game at which the incident occurred.
“I don't believe anybody goes to a game and expects to inflict such an injury. The Rubicon has been crossed. It’s time for a sea change in terms of people's behaviour and attitudes.”
Respect was more than words on the wall of a clubhouse or a slick advertising campaign, it needed to be lived, to be breathed by everyone in the organisation. It needed to be part of the fabric, the bedrock of the organisation. Sea change had to happen immediately.
“We need to take a long hard look at ourselves, there has to be zero tolerance for disrespect or abuse of officials in sport. We need to take a leaf from the book of rugby and learn very fast as this cannot continue.”
The reaction “across the board” in the area had been shock and horror, he said. People were very angry that young children at a sporting event would have witnessed such an event.
“This is shocking and it's wrong and it can't be allowed to continue.”