Dramatic footage has emerged showing the shocking moment football thugs stormed the pitch during the Bohemians vs Derry City match, sparking violent scenes that left fans and players stunned.
The ugly incident occurred during Friday night's Irish Premier Division clash at Dalymount Park in Dublin, where a group of masked individuals invaded the playing area, forcing the game to be temporarily halted.
Chaos on the Pitch
Video evidence shows multiple individuals, some wearing balaclavas, rushing onto the field just minutes before half-time. The pitch invaders appeared to target Derry City players, with one footballer being chased across the turf by an aggressive spectator.
Security staff and stewards struggled to contain the situation as the violent disorder escalated, with objects being thrown from the stands and confrontations breaking out in multiple areas of the stadium.
Police Investigation Launched
Gardaí have confirmed they are investigating the incident and reviewing CCTV footage to identify those responsible. A police spokesperson stated: "We are aware of an incident of public order at Dalymount Park and are working with club officials to investigate this matter fully."
The Football Association of Ireland has condemned the violence, calling it "completely unacceptable" and vowing to take strong action against those involved.
Club Statements
Bohemians FC issued an apology to Derry City, their players, staff and supporters, saying: "We utterly condemn the behaviour of a small number of individuals who caused this disgraceful incident. The club will work with authorities to ensure appropriate action is taken."
Derry City expressed their disappointment, stating: "Our players and staff were put in an unacceptable position. Everyone should be able to enjoy football matches without fear of such incidents."
The match eventually resumed after a significant delay, with Bohemians going on to win 4-1, though the result was overshadowed by the earlier violence.
