Foster: GAA pitch-invaders and other rule breakers ‘put on notice’

The First Minister made the remarks during Monday’s evening press conference alongside Michelle O’Neill, after footage of post-match celebrations in Co Tyrone showed a total breakdown of the guidelines on keeping two-metres (six foot) apart.

Announcing a toughening of anti-viral measures, she said that observing the new rules will take “a lot of self-discipline” and “compassion”.

She added: “I’m sad to say, however, that those words do not apply to those who have lost the run of themselves a little bit.

“Whether they ran onto the pitch at a GAA match, partied in bars afterwards, swarmed the streets of Belfast Holylands, or indeed crowded into house parties, that kind of behaviour just isn’t a risk to those present but of course for everyone they subsequently come into contact with...

“So I’m putting you on notice that we intend to take this matter very seriously.”

She said the “enforcement group” in the Executive is working with police and others to ensure “we do not see any repeat of this”.

The pitch invasion happened at Healy Park in Omagh, as Dungannon team the Thomas Clarkes clinched the county championship.

And Mrs Foster’s mention of the Holylands refers to the south Belfast student district where there have been repeated cases of young people gathered en masse in the street and in homes in the run-up to today’s start of semester.

Earlier in the day, Mrs Foster had written on Twitter: “Deeply concerned about the images from yesterday’s GAA match... Covid-19 is no respecter of victories.

“Other events being responsible. Sport and health will be the losers.”

Ulster GAA issued a written statement yesterday afternoon, reminding fans not to enter the field, saying that “the on-pitch celebration scenes following the Tyrone County Final in Omagh not only breached GAA protocols but, and much more significantly, public health guidelines”.

The statement acknowledged the “great joy” of fans, saying this “probably added to the exuberance” seen in footage of the celebrations.

It added: “But we are living in a pandemic, and the post-match scenes did not portray the Association in a positive light. The scenes of last night cannot be repeated or we will risk going back to a position where all games will be played behind closed doors.”

The PSNI meanwhile issued its own statement from Chief Superintendent Ryan Henderson: “We are aware of an incident at a GAA match in Omagh yesterday and will be reviewing all available evidence to determine any potential breach of the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) Regulations NI 2020 or breach of any other statute identified in respect of any individual.”

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