05/11/2012
Derry Fan Overturns Five-Year Ban
A Derry City FC supporter has had a five-year ban from football matches in Northern Ireland overturned.
36-year-old William Diver from Iveroe Gardens in Derry received the ban after he was caught taking a flare into a cup final. He was also given a suspended jail term. He has had the punishment overturned on appeal but will have to pay a £100 fine.
The incident happened at the Setanta Cup Final between Derry City and Crusaders at the Oval stadium in Belfast in May. Mr Diver was arrested for carrying a thermobaric canister, which produces a bright flash when lit, at a regulated football match.
He was arrested at the ground before the device could be let off. Now Mr Diver is claiming the case should never have been brought before the court at all.
"The judge said the five year ban should never have been introduced because of the legalisation. The suspended sentence was also lifted and I got fined £100, so it went from one extreme to the other.
Mr Diver said he was "a little bit embarrassed because it was splashed all over the papers.
"I was hoping to go to the cup final in Dublin but I would never have got on any bus,” he said.
"It was harsh but I am pleased with the outcome. I have learned my lesson I won't be carrying any flares or fireworks to matches anymore."
Derry City are currently celebrating winning the 2012 FAI Cup 2012 after beating St. Patrick's Athletic 3-2 in extra-time in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin yesterday.
(IT)
36-year-old William Diver from Iveroe Gardens in Derry received the ban after he was caught taking a flare into a cup final. He was also given a suspended jail term. He has had the punishment overturned on appeal but will have to pay a £100 fine.
The incident happened at the Setanta Cup Final between Derry City and Crusaders at the Oval stadium in Belfast in May. Mr Diver was arrested for carrying a thermobaric canister, which produces a bright flash when lit, at a regulated football match.
He was arrested at the ground before the device could be let off. Now Mr Diver is claiming the case should never have been brought before the court at all.
"The judge said the five year ban should never have been introduced because of the legalisation. The suspended sentence was also lifted and I got fined £100, so it went from one extreme to the other.
Mr Diver said he was "a little bit embarrassed because it was splashed all over the papers.
"I was hoping to go to the cup final in Dublin but I would never have got on any bus,” he said.
"It was harsh but I am pleased with the outcome. I have learned my lesson I won't be carrying any flares or fireworks to matches anymore."
Derry City are currently celebrating winning the 2012 FAI Cup 2012 after beating St. Patrick's Athletic 3-2 in extra-time in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin yesterday.
(IT)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.