Net closes on boxing event machete thugs
Man badly injured in brazen attack
BY PAUL HEALY
GARDAI are closing in on the thugs who brandished machetes during a violent attack at a youth boxing tournament.
The terrifying scenes were witnessed outside a club in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, as it hosted the National Boy 4 Boxing Championships on Friday.
A man in his 40s is in hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
Sources say the gang, who may have travelled up from Co Clare, targeted the event to settle a dispute with a spectator.
Footage, which was being livestreamed online, captured the moment the gang stormed the venue at 9.45pm.
It shows the armed men bursting into the building as terrified fans fled.
Posting on X, former two-time world champion Carl Frampton wrote: “Disgusting scenes at the All Ireland under 14s last night. Jesus Christ, keep that madness away from the kids.”
A spokesman from The Irish Athletic Boxing Association said: “That such an incident could occur at a children’s sporting event is abhorrent.’’
In a statement posted on its Facebook account this morning, Castlerea Boxing Club said: “We were so proud to be asked to host this year’s championships and we thought that it would be a great moment for our club and town, but instead, it has brought shock and sadness.
“We can only apologise to all of the wonderful people that attended, to the children who trained all year for this weekend and to the people of Castlerea for the hurt that this has caused. We would also like to apologise to the IABA.”
A Garda spokesman said: “In particular, we are appealing to anyone who may have seen a white/silver Audi A4 car travelling in the Castlerea and Ballintubber areas of Co Roscommon between 8.30pm and 11.30pm on Friday.
“Any road users in the area at this time, and who may have footage is asked to make this available.”