Gardaí are making enquiries after a referee was alleged assaulted at GAA match in County Roscommon yesterday.

Footage shared online appears to show the referee lying prostrate on the pitch after the incident in Ballyforan yesterday evening.

Reports from the area suggest the footage was recorded shortly after a red card was shown.

Roscommon GAA has said it is aware of the incident and would like to wish the referee a “speedy recovery.”

“Roscommon GAA strongly condemns any behaviour that puts any of our match officials at risk,” it said.

The Competitions Control Committee is now due to open a full investigation into the incident.

"Disgraceful"

The Minister of State for Sports Jack Chambers said we need to send out a strong message that violence against referees will not be tolerated.

“I condemn the disgraceful incident that occurred at a minor GAA game,” he said.

“This matter needs to be investigated swiftly and in full by the GAA. Any individual found responsible for deliberately harming a match official needs to be held to account.

“My thoughts are with the referee who was hurt in the incident and I wish him a speedy recovery.

“Referees are central to sports and participation and our games simply cannot happen without them.

“A very strong message must go out that abuse of match officials is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated by anyone in our game. Referees must be respected and protected in all our sports.”

Investigation

Meanwhile a Garda spokesperson said they are “conducting enquiries into the matter”.

“Gardaí are aware of a video circulating on social media of an alleged incident at a sports ground in County Roscommon on Wednesday evening,” said the spokesperson.

“Gardaí are conducting enquiries into the matter.”