Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 20600Assault · Co. Roscommon · 31 Aug 2022

Man charged over assault on referee at Ballyforan GAA match, Co Roscommon

On 31 August 2022, referee Kevin Naughton was knocked to the ground and lost consciousness at Ballyforan GAA grounds, Co Roscommon, during an under-17 match, after he went to deal with abuse from the sideline. James Kenny, 40, of Ballyforan, Co Roscommon, was charged with assaulting him. On 22 June 2023 at Ballinasloe District Court, the judge said he was not accepting that the offence was a Section 2 assault and that the matter would be dealt with in the circuit court. The latest development is that the case was adjourned to 27 July to prepare a book of evidence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court22 Jun
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A referee, Kevin Naughton, was assaulted at a GAA match in Co Roscommon and was knocked unconscious.
  • Mr Naughton was knocked to the ground when an official made contact with him, and he said he lost consciousness.
  • Mr Naughton said he suffered neck and soft tissue injuries, anxiety and lost interest in GAA and refereeing, and he is receiving counselling and medication.
Where
The assault took place at Ballyforan GAA grounds, Co Roscommon, during an under-17 match.
When
The assault took place on 31 August 2022.
Cause
Mr Naughton said he had received abuse from the sideline during the second half and went to deal with it.
Investigation
The garda said Mr Kenny acknowledged his actions from the start, expressed remorse and cooperated throughout the investigation.
Charges
  • James Kenny, 40, of Ballyforan, Co Roscommon, was charged with assaulting Mr Naughton.
  • The DPP had accepted a Section 2 assault charge, but the judge said he was not accepting that the offence was a Section 2 assault.
In court
  • The case was heard at Ballinasloe District Court on 22 June 2023.
  • The judge said the matter would be dealt with in the circuit court.
  • The case was adjourned to 27 July to prepare a book of evidence.
Sentence
The judge said Mr Kenny would have faced six months in prison if the case were dealt with that day; no sentence has been imposed.
Other details
The judge described the video footage of the incident as quite shocking, and the defence said there was no intent by Mr Kenny.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA referee was knocked unconscious after being assaulted at a GAA match in Co Roscommon. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe referee was knocked to the ground when an official made contact with him. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe referee said he lost consciousness. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe referee suffered neck and soft tissue injuries. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe referee has lost interest in the GAA and refereeing and has not attended a GAA ground since the incident. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe referee said he suffers from anxiety, is receiving counselling and is on medication. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe assault took place at Ballyforan GAA grounds. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe assault took place on 31 August 2022. (rte.ie)
  • causeThe referee had received abuse from the sideline during the second half and went to deal with it. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe garda said Mr Kenny acknowledged his actions from the start and expressed remorse. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe garda said Mr Kenny cooperated throughout the investigation. (rte.ie)
  • chargeJames Kenny was charged with assaulting referee Kevin Naughton. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe DPP had accepted a Section 2 assault charge. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Ballinasloe District Court. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge said he was not accepting that the offence was a Section 2 assault. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge said the matter would be dealt with in the circuit court. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to 27 July to prepare a book of evidence. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge said Mr Kenny would have faced six months in prison if the case were dealt with that day. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe judge described the video footage of the incident as quite shocking. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe defence said there was no intent by Mr Kenny. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Jun2023
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Referee lost interest in GAA after assault, court hears

    Court report of the case against James Kenny. Adds the court hearing, the referee's account of his injuries and anxiety, the DPP's Section 2 charge, the judge's view that the case should go to the circuit court, and the adjournment to 27 July.

    accused, James Kenny, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Kennyvictim, Kevin Naughton, male, irish (judged from name)Kevin Naughton