Ireland Case No. 3363Assault · Co. Dublin · 5 Mar 2023
Michael Kelly, 41, given suspended sentence for assaulting umpire at underage GAA match in Dublin
Michael Kelly, 41, was sentenced to a suspended three-month term at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to assaulting umpire Paul Keane at an underage hurling match at Clan na Gael GAA club in Irishtown, Dublin, on 5 March 2023. The judge also ordered Kelly to pay €5,000 to the victim and engage with the Probation Service for one year.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced13 Apr
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports23 statements extracted from the articles
- whatKelly pleaded guilty to assault at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatKelly came at the umpire with his arms swinging after his 17-year-old son got into a verbal disagreement with the umpire. (dublinlive.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatKelly did not actually strike the umpire but put him in fear of being hit. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatKelly was originally due to stand trial on a charge of affray but entered the guilty plea on the first day of his trial. (dublinlive.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatOther unidentified people struck the umpire several times from behind. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe umpire suffered concussion and received medical attention at VHI Swift Care. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe umpire said he ducked out of the way, Kelly ran at him again swinging punches, and they fell to the ground. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatNeither the concussion nor any other injuries were attributable to Kelly, but the initial assault led to the later events. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatMichael Kelly pleaded guilty to assault at an underage hurling match. (irishtimes.com)
- whatKelly did not actually strike the umpire but put him in fear he would be hit. (irishtimes.com)
- whatOther unidentified people struck the umpire several times from behind, causing concussion. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe match took place at Clan na Gael GAA club in Irishtown, Dublin 1. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on 5 March 2023. (dublinlive.ie, irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe charge is under Section 2 of the Non-fatal Offences against the Person Act, carrying a maximum sentence of six months. (dublinlive.ie)
- chargeThe charge is under section two of the Non-fatal Offences Against the Person Act with a maximum sentence of six months. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Orla Crowe sentenced Kelly to three months, suspended in full, with conditions including engaging with the Probation Service for one year. (dublinlive.ie, irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge ordered Kelly to pay €5,000 to the victim within one week. (dublinlive.ie)
- sentenceKelly was ordered to pay €5,000 to the victim within one week. (irishtimes.com)
- otherKelly had 20 previous convictions, mostly for road traffic offences, but also for assault causing harm. (dublinlive.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherKelly now employs eight men in his own construction business. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherKelly's second child died of sepsis two days after birth. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe match had already become an ill-tempered affair, and the referee had to dismiss another umpire. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe spectators and players involved were about 17 years of age. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 13 Apr2026Man who assaulted umpire at underage GAA match given suspended sentence
Reports the sentencing of Michael Kelly for assault at a GAA match, including the suspended sentence, conditions, and the judge's comments on the incident.
victim, Paul Keane, male, irish (judged from name)Paul Keaneconvicted, Michael Kelly, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Kelly - 13 Apr2026Dublin dad who 'charged' at GAA umpire with 'arms swinging' spared jail
Reports the sentencing of Michael Kelly for assaulting a GAA umpire; includes details of the incident, the victim's injuries, Kelly's 20 previous convictions, and the suspended sentence with conditions.
victim, Paul Keane, male, irish (judged from name)Paul Keaneconvicted, Michael Kelly, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Kelly