A TAXI driver accused of taking part in the riot which halted the 1995 England Ireland soccer "friendly" in Dublin was yesterday ordered to be extradited to the Republic.
Magistrates at Cheltenham heard that Mr Colin Graham McNulty (31), of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, faces five charges arising from the violence at Lansdowne Road ground which started 28 minutes into the game and just seconds after the Republic scored.
He is accused of rioting, violent disorder, assault causing actual bodily harm, possessing an offensive weapon and criminal damage.
A TV audience of millions throughout the UK and the Republic saw him at the height of the trouble apparently throwing a plank of wood ripped from stadium seating.
But Mr Tim Robinson, for Mr McNulty, told the magistrates yesterday: "In fact this defendant behaved in a courageous and brave way by rescuing a nine year old Irish boy who had been sucked into the crowd."
He was one of five men arrested after the State authorities issued extradition warrants following the fighting in February 1995.