Three in court over match trouble

Three Northern Ireland men have appeared in court in Dublin after trouble at a football match in the city on Tuesday night.

They were arrested at Linfield's match against St Pat's Athletic and charged with public order offences.

Two of the men are from Carrickfergus and one from west Belfast. They were all remanded on bail to reappear at Kilmainham District Court on 14 May.

A fourth NI man had charges dismissed under the probation act.

In court were Robert Ervin, 49, from Glencairn Pass in Belfast and Carrickfergus men William Rankin, 30, from Alexander Park and Stephen Smith, 35, of Carnhill Walk.

Two other men from the Republic were also arrested.

Gardai said the arrests were connected to isolated incidents at the Setanta Cup match, which Linfield lost 2-0. Dog units, mounted officers and gardai brought the trouble under control.

Linfield chairman Jim Kerr said he "utterly condemned" the behaviour of some fans and added that "the name of Linfield Football Club had been dragged through the gutter".

The Setanta Cup is an All-Ireland football tournament, which is contested by four clubs from both sides of the border.