Calls for the government to do more to protect the reputation of Irish sport

Senator Mark Wall is urging the government to do more to protect the reputation of Irish sport.

Image via GAA.ie

Ireland will soon find itself without live sports games, if nothing is done to protect match officials.

That's according to Labour's spokesman for sport, who is urging the government to do more to protect the reputation of Irish sport.

Senator Mark Wall says the increased aggression at matches is "hugely damaging" to the sports community in Ireland.

He says it is especially worrying seeing violence so prevalent at games for minors:

'We need to set examples and then that will hopefully grow a respect campaign for officials and referees into older and adult games, but that's what needs to happen now'. 

The worry comes as yet another alleged attack against a GAA umpire which took place yesterday is now under Garda investigation.

The umpire was left bleeding after the alleged attack at an the under age match in Dublin.

Senator Wall says a national campaign is needed if local level sport in Ireland is to continue:

'It simply has got to stop because the outcome of this will be that referees and lead officials will not officiate at our games, and we wont have anywhere to go'.