A group of Gaelic footballers and their friends were involved in what the Garda called a "mini-riot" at a Co Monaghan hotel after clashing with stewards during a disco, the District Court in Castleblayney was told yesterday.
Nine defendants from Scotstown, Co Monaghan, pleaded guilty to charges of assault and public order offences at the Glencarn Hotel in Castleblayney on July I5th, 2002.
They are: Francis Caulfield (20); Damien McKenna (22); Brendan McCaffrey (28); Nicholas Corrigan (25); Christopher McAleer (21); Seamus Mullen (29); Sean Mullen (27); Declan McCarville and Desmond Mallon.
Ms Michelle Flanagan for the defendants said they had raised €16,000 between them to pay compensation to the hotel stewards.
Garda Sgt Paul Carroll, Castleblayney, told Judge Flann Brennan the group had been drinking heavily earlier in the day, following a GAA match, and then attended the disco.
The melee began when one of the group brought a bar-stool on to the dance floor to help a lady who had become weak. When he was told that such seating was not allowed on the floor, the fracas developed. Several of the accused became involved and a number of stewards were punched and kicked.
"It was a particularly harrowing experience for the nightclub staff on the occasion," the Garda witness said.
All the defendants came from highly respectable families and their behaviour on the occasion was totally out of character, said Garda Sgt Carroll.
The defence lawyer said some of the defendants held key positions in the local Gaelic football club.
Judge Brennan reserved his decision in the case until a further hearing on February 3rd next.