A man in his 40s has been arrested following a stabbing incident at an under-16 GAA match in Co Tyrone. The incident took place at a sports ground on Convent Road in Cookstown, prompting the response of PSNI officers.
During the incident, two individuals were stabbed. One man was taken to the hospital, while the second received on-site treatment. A man in his 40s was subsequently arrested and taken into custody for questioning.
The PSNI has appealed to witnesses or anyone with footage of the incident to come forward and provide information. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service responded to a 999 call at 21.03 IST sending an emergency crew to the scene. After initial assessment and treatment, one patient was transported to Antrim Area Hospital.
The incident occurred during a championship semi-final match between Cookstown Fr Rocks Under-16s and Fintona Pearses at Paddy Cullen Park in Cookstown. Cookstown GFC, the local club, stated that it is now providing support to children and young people who witnessed the distressing and serious incident. A committee has been formed to ensure that the necessary support and assistance are offered in the coming days. The club expressed its sympathy for those affected by the incident.
Tyrone GAA, the governing body for Gaelic games in Tyrone, acknowledged the incident in a statement, stating that its thoughts are with all those impacted. They confirmed that the incident is under investigation by the PSNI and that no further comments will be made at this time.
Fintona Pearse, the opposing team, released a statement acknowledging the serious incident and confirming that the PSNI is conducting an investigation. The club’s focus is on the welfare of the children and young people present, and their thoughts are with those affected.
Footage shared on social media appears to show police officers responding to the incident at the GAA grounds. Michelle O’Neill, the Stormont leader of Sinn Féin, described the incident as shocking.
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