Culture minister Patrick O’Donovan has doubled down on his criticism of football fans who threw flares onto the field of a League of Ireland game as "hooligans". Mr O’Donovan, who attended the match, hit out at supporters who threw the flares onto the pitch, calling for anyone who is aware of individuals involved to contact gardaí. On Monday, Mr O’Donovan criticised what he called “gougerism and thuggery”, while calling for the FAI to deal with “hooliganism”. Asked if he regretted describing those who threw flares as hooligans and gougers, Mr O’Donovan said he did not. “We have to have people brought before the courts in order to make sure that there's a stamping out of this sort of behaviour,” Mr O’Donovan said.

Source: Irish Examiner February 24, 2026 17:33 UTC