Cillian Sherlock, PA
Updated: 1.50pm
A man has been arrested after a stabbing at an under-16s Gaelic Football match in Co Tyrone in which two people were injured, according to police.
PSNI officers remained at the scene late on Thursday night after responding to a report of a stabbing incident at the sports ground in the Convent Road area of Cookstown.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) also attended after receiving a call at 9.03pm and found that two people had sustained stab wounds during the incident.
Following assessment and initial treatment, one man was taken to Antrim Area Hospital while the other injured person received treatment at the scene.
A man, aged in his 40s, has been arrested and will be taken to custody for questioning.
Cookstown Fr Rocks Gaelic Football Club said it was working to support children who witnessed the incident.
A statement added: “Following a very serious incident at Padraig O’Cuilinn Pairc this evening during an Under-16 Championship match our thoughts are with the individuals impacted by it.
“The committee will now work to ensure that children and young people who witnessed this disturbing and very serious incident have the support and assistance that they require in the coming days.
“The club will be making no further comment on this.”
Alliance councillor for Omagh Stephen Donnelly said he was “deeply concerned” by the incident.
“My thoughts are with all the young people and children who were unfortunate enough to witness such a shocking act of violence,” he added.
'Horrible ordeal'
Meanwhile, the SDLP spokesperson for reconciliation and sport, Justin McNulty MLA, has called for the introduction of a zero tolerance policy on such incidents, describing it as a “really horrible ordeal”.
Mr McNulty told RTÉ radio’s News at One that the incident was not reflective of the two clubs involved in the game.
“I don't believe anybody goes to a game and expects to inflict such an injury. The Rubicon has been crossed. It’s time for a sea change in terms of people's behaviour and attitudes.”
“Respect was more than words on the wall of a clubhouse or a slick advertising campaign, it needed to be lived, to be breathed by everyone in the organisation. It needed to be part of the fabric, the bedrock of the organisation. Sea change had to happen immediately.
“We need to take a long hard look at ourselves, there has to be zero tolerance for disrespect or abuse of officials in sport. We need to take a leaf from the book of rugby and learn very fast as this cannot continue,” he said.
Mr McNulty added the reaction “across the board” in the area had been shock and horror, and people are very angry that young children at a sporting event would have witnessed such an incident.
“This is shocking, and it's wrong, and it can't be allowed to continue.”
