World Cup fans throw guard in fountain

June 1990

A garda is thrown into a fountain at the Market Square as Ireland supporters, many the worse for drink, spill out of pubs after a World Cup match.

As a result of general rowdiness in the town centre following the team’s first two games in the tournament in Italy, it is the intention of Dundalk urban council, at the instigation of gardaí, to empty the fountain before the fixture against Holland.

After the England match, a back window of a patrol car is smashed, and there is also an attempt by some youths to take beer from a passing lorry.

Consequently, there is a garda presence for the next outing, and the fountain is turned off.

However, this does not stop some from jumping in and out of the water, while others attempt to push in passers-by.

A group then arrives in a mini bus and gets involved.

Six revellers approach one of the guards, hoist him in the air and bring the officer to the edge of the fountain before throwing him in.

Another gang of four tries to do the same to a second garda but he resists and a civilian comes to his aid to stop the attempt.

‘It is good humoured enough,’ remarks one of the guards on duty.

‘However, I did not think they were going to throw him into the water.

‘ The reality is someone could have been seriously injured being thrown into the fountain. As it was some people nearby had their clothes splattered with water.’

No arrests are made, while the officer who gets a ducking is not injured.

Meanwhile, the force is asking fans who intend going into pubs to watch Ireland play Holland to behave, and show some respect afterwards for people and property, if there is cause to celebrate the result.