IABA condemns 'serious incident' at boxing tournament in County Roscommon

A weekend boxing tournament in County Roscommon has been cancelled following an incident which broke out on day one of the event on Friday evening.

Day one of the quarter finals of the 2024 National Boy/Girl 4 Championships were underway at The Hub in Castlerea on Friday evening when an incident broke out between a number men at the back of the venue as two young people were about to enter the ring.

Video footage, which has emerged on social media, shows a number of men, some in balaclavas, engaged in the incident as spectators and young people ran for cover.

Late on Friday night the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) issued a statement saying that it was “aware of a serious incident during the final stages of the 2024 National Boy 4 Championship quarter finals in Castlerea, County Roscommon, this evening. 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. Gardai are investigating.

“IABA, its officials, host club Castlerea BC, and streaming partners, StreamSport, are ready to assist Garda with their inquiries in any way possible.

“Two more days of boxing were scheduled to take place in this competition over the weekend. They have been suspended and the remaining days of boxing will be rescheduled. 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,” said the statement.