Ireland Michael Kelly remanded for sentence after guilty plea over assault on GAA umpire in Irishtown
Michael Kelly, 41, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to causing GAA umpire Paul Keane the apprehension of being struck during a minor hurling match in Irishtown in March 2023. Judge Orla Crowe remanded him on continuing bail for sentence on 13 April 2026, by which time enquiries would be made as to whether the injured party would accept his written apology and €1,000 token of remorse.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court26 Mar
- Convicted26 Mar
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports25 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMichael Kelly, 41, of Sherrard St Lower, Dublin, pleaded guilty to assaulting the umpire at Clan na Gael GAA club, Irishtown, Dublin, on 5 March 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe assault occurred during an underage hurling match between two minor hurling teams that had become fractious. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatKelly did not actually strike the umpire but caused him the apprehension of being struck. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe umpire grabbed Kelly's arms and they fell to the ground. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatOther unidentified people struck the umpire several times from behind while he was on the ground. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe umpire suffered concussion and received medical attention at VHI Swift Care. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe concussion and other injuries were not attributable to the accused. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatKelly did not actually strike Keane but caused him the apprehension of being struck. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe hurling match became fractious and some players were sent off as tensions rose. (irishtimes.com)
- whatKeane grabbed Kelly's two arms trying to restrain him and they fell to the ground. (irishtimes.com)
- whatOther unidentified people struck Keane from behind several times while he was on the ground. (irishtimes.com)
- whatKeane suffered concussion and had to attend a VHI Swift Care centre. (irishtimes.com)
- whatNeither the concussion nor any other injuries sustained by Keane were attributable to Kelly. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe players in the match were about 17 years old and were distressed by the episode. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident happened on 5 March 2023 at Clan na Gael GAA club, Irishtown. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe charge is under Section 2 of the Non-fatal Offences against the Person Act. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe charge is assault under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Orla Crowe remanded Kelly on continuing bail for sentence on 13 April 2026. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherKelly had 20 previous convictions, mostly for road traffic offences, including a circuit court conviction for assault causing harm. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe players involved were about 17 years of age. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherKelly brought a written apology and €1,000 as a token of his remorse. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherKelly employs eight men in his own construction business. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherKelly's second child died of sepsis after only two days of life in 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherKelly's second child died two days after birth in 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- otherKelly offered a written apology and €1,000 as a token of his remorse. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 26 Mar2026‘A stupid split-second decision’: Apology offered to umpire assaulted during minor hurling match
Court hearing at which Kelly pleaded guilty; remanded on continuing bail for sentence on 13 April 2026. Details of the incident, the victim's injuries, Kelly's 20 previous convictions, his background as a construction employer, and the defence's mitigation evidence are provided.
convicted, Michael Kelly, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Kellyvictim, Paul Keane, male, irish (judged from name)Paul Keane - 26 Mar2026Court hears of underage hurling tensions when dad swung arms at umpire
Sentence hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court where the court heard details of the incident. Kelly was remanded on continuing bail for sentence on 13 April 2026, with enquiries to be made as to whether the injured party would accept his written apology and €1,000.
accused, Michael Kelly, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Kellyvictim, Paul Keane, male, irish (judged from name)Paul Keane