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Dublin Live
Dublin Live
Sport
Gavin O'Callaghan

Gardai appeal for witnesses of 'sectarian' abuse incident at Leinster v Ulster Champions Cup game

Gardai have urged anyone who saw any sectarian or criminal behaviour to come forward after a Leinster "fan" was ejected from the Aviva on Saturday night for shouting abuse at Ulster supporters.

Leinster strongly condemned the incident which put a stain on what was otherwise a huge occasion for the Blues who ran out 21-18 winners in a cracking Champions Cup affair.

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During the second half, one man was ejected after loyal fans reported him for shouting sectarian abuse.

The man had allegedly been shouting "relentlessly" for around 20 minutes with one witness saying he wasn't even watching the game.

The morning after the great win, Leinster released a statement blasting the man's actions saying "there is no place in sport or in our society for any form of physical or verbal abuse."

They said: "Thank you to the vast majority of the 51,700 who sang, roared, cheered and urged both teams on in what was a hugely special day for Irish rugby. Let that be the narrative."

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Gardai have now said a number of people were ejected from the game for different reasons mostly to do with alcohol consumption and "minor public order issues".

They said there were no official reports to them regarding discriminatory behaviour but urged anyone who witnessed to contact their station in Donnybrook.

They said: "A number of people were ejected on Saturday night by the Stadium Stewards with the assistance of An Garda Síochána in relation to alcohol consumption and minor public order issues.

"There were no allegations of criminal or discriminatory conduct brought to the attention of An Garda Síochána on the night and no arrests were made.

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"Subsequently it has come to the attention of An Garda Síochána that there may have been an instance of discriminatory behaviour.

"Although, no formal has been made to date, Gardaí at Donnybrook Station would ask anyone who witnessed such behaviour or who has information that can assist, to contact Donnybrook Garda Station on 01 6669200 or via email to donnybrook.ce@garda.ie."

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