Locals witness machete mayhem at boxing event

MEMBERS of the local boxing community witnessed a ’terrifying attack’ last weekend when a gang of masked men armed with long blades invaded an under-14 boxing event.

A local official, two coaches and a teenage boxer were present when a number of men, wearing balaclavas, carrying machetes and slash hooks, descended on a national boxing tournament in Castlerea, Co Roscommon.

Following the incident, a man, aged his 40s, was taken to Galway University Hospital with serious facial injuries.

He is believed to be the father of one of the boxers that were competing in the quarter-finals of the National Boy 4 Boxing Championships.

Speaking with the UH this week, Gary McGillion, an international referee and judge, and coach with Bishop Kelly ABC, Eskra, reflected on the chaos which he witnessed from ringside.

“It was unreal, you could not believe what you were seeing,” began the Newtownstewart man.

“You just never expect to see something so awful unfold at a junior boxing event.”

Mr McGillion, who was there in the capacity of a senior official, was sat at a ringside table with other referees and judges when the brazen attack began at around 9.45pm on Friday night.

“We heard some noise coming from the doorway, but we did not think much of it.

“Then, all of a sudden, masked men ran into the hall waving machetes, pitchforks and hooks.

“Coaches, boxers and parents started running for the door,” recalled Mr McGillion.

By the time the barbaric gang punctured proceedings, there were only a few fights left.

“Thankfully, most of the crowd had cleared out. If it had happened an hour earlier, there would have been a lot more people still in the hall, both adults and children.

“The whole thing probably lasted about three minutes.”

Mr McGillion added, “But it’s no fault of the Castlerea Boxing Club, who been doing an excellent job and their hospitality was second to none. It is unfortunate that all their good work will be overshadowed by the mayhem that happened at the end of the evening.”

Due to the perceived threat, the next two rounds of the championships have now been suspended indefinitely.

‘abhorrent’

In a statement, the Irish Amatuer Boxing Association (IABA) said, “That such an incident could occur at a children’s sporting event is abhorrent and is roundly condemned by every member of the Irish boxing family…

‘’Understandably there will be clubs, boxers, officials and supporters at a loss. But in the interest of their safety, there is no option, risk remains too high even if the competition proceeds behind closed doors.”

However, despite the horror of what happened in Rosscommon, Mr McGillion said he wants to reassure boxers, parents and the wider public that boxing championships are normally ‘very safe environments’.

“I could not – and almost cannot – believe what happened on Friday night. It is unlike anything I have ever seen before or am likely to ever see again,” said the Bishop Kelly coach.

“It does not look good for boxing, it has made a lot of people worried, and, to some extent, it has probably blackened the name of the sport.

“However, while this happened at a boxing event, it has absolutely nothing to do with the sport itself.

“It certainly is no reflection of the people involved with boxing, many of who are some of the best people you are ever going to meet,” said Mr McGillon.

In a statement on social media, Castlerea Boxing Club said, “(We were) so proud to be asked to host this year’s All-Ireland Championships, and we thought that it would be a great historical moment for our club and town, but instead, it has brought great shock and sadness. We can only apologise to all of the wonderful people that attended, to the children who trained all year for this weekend and to the people of Castlerea for the hurt that this has caused.”

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses who seen a white or silver Audi A4 car travelling in the Castlerea and Ballintubber areas between 8.30pm and 11.30pm. Those with camera or dash cam footage are being asked to make it available. Castlerea Garda Station can be contacted at 084 9621630 or the Garda confidential line at 1800 666 111.