Flare causes damage to Oriel Park pitch as two arrested following ugly scenes
TWO visiting fans were arrested following angry scenes both before and after Drogheda’s 3-1 defeat at Oriel Park on Friday night.
There was also dismay expressed by the home club and visiting officials when a fan burned Dundalk’s newly laid pitch.
A flare was tossed from the away section of fans onto the pitch in the second half and it proceeded to scorch the all-weather surface.
A steward managed to extinguish it but the pitch was visibly damaged as a result of the incident.
It was inspected by officials immediately after the final whistle.
Gardai in Drogheda confirmed that two people were arrested outside Oriel Park after two seperate incidents.
One was walking in front of traffic and will appear in court in Dundalk on April 19th.
A youth was also taken into custody for verbal abuse after the game.
Gardai also confirmed that a ‘full operation’ will be in place outside United Park this Friday night for the visit of Shamrock Rovers.
Members of the Garda Mounted Unit will be on duty.