By Ronan Judge

A judge has described as “disgraceful behaviour” the actions of those involved in a violent altercation that occurred at the end of a schoolboys soccer final in Eamonn Deacy Park last year.

Judge John King was speaking at the sentencing hearing of two men for their roles in the incident that saw fights break out between rival coaches and supporters.

Diego Monteiro (36), with an address at 13 Sycamore Grove, Gort, and Joao Batista Jorge Dias, with an address at 44 Punchbowl, Gort, appeared at Galway District  Court having previously pleaded guilty to two charges.

They pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Neil McLoughlin.

Sergeant Claire Heneghan told the court that on June 7, 2024, in the final five minutes of an under-14 soccer final between Kilshanvey United and Gort United, an altercation broke out between coaches and supporters of both teams.

The two men, who are supporters of Gort United, entered the field of play.

Sgt Heneghan said Kilshanvey coach, Neil McLoughlin, later gave a statement to Gardaí saying he was head-butted in the chest by Dias and punched in the face by Monteiro.

Mr McLoughlin required medical treatment for bruising to his left eye and his chest was sore to touch. He had declined the opportunity to make a victim impact statement.

Dias has two convictions for road traffic offences and Monteiro has none.

The court heard another man had already been before the court in relation to the incident and there was also a referral to the Garda juvenile diversion programme.

Defence solicitor, Sean Acton, said that what should have been a joyous occasion for both clubs developed into “outrageous behaviour”.

He said Jorge Dias became involved after mistakenly believing his son had been hit by an adult when he had instead been tackled by another player, when Gort were winning 3-1.

He said his client had lived in Ireland for 24 years, had a long record of employment and was currently a leisure centre operative where he was a “valued” member of staff.

He said Jorge Dias was ashamed and deeply apologetic. “What happened on the day was appalling and it is my client’s fault along with others,” Mr Acton said.

On behalf of Diego Monteiro, Mr Action said he was a plasterer regarded by his employer as hard working, trustworthy and an asset.

He asked the court to take into account his client’s good record, remorse and deep shame for what happened.

The court heard both men had €1,000 as a token of remorse for Mr McLoughlin should he wish to accept it.

Judge King said that before finalising the case, he had to find out if Mr McLoughlin wished to accept the money, if he was still coaching and the impact of what happened on both clubs.

He said this was an occasion where kids were playing a game on a pitch and the adults were fighting each other when they were supposed to be “the adults in the room”.

“This is disgraceful behaviour,” he added.

Judge King directed a probation report to explore the possibility of restorative justice and adjourned the case to March 11.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.