Two men deny Martin Sludden attack

The trial has begun of two men accused of attacking a referee after he awarded a controversial goal in the Leinster Senior Football final between Louth and Meath in July 2010.

Joseph Conlon, 23, from Haggardstown in Dundalk and Paul Grimes, 51, from Willowdale Estate in Dundalk have pleaded not guilty.

The court was told that referee Martin Sludden withdrew his complaint and did not give evidence.

Judge Bridget Reilly adjourned the case until 1 March for legal submissions.

Mr Sludden was confronted by Louth fans after he awarded a goal to Meath in the closing seconds of the game at Croke Park.

The Tyrone-based referee later admitted he was wrong to award the goal, which cost Louth their first Leinster Championship in 50 years.

In spite of the protests by Louth fans, the referee awarded the goal and as the judge put it in court today Louth felt robbed, the score was unlawful.

The court was shown RTÉ footage of Martin Sludden being confronted by Louth supporters.

It heard that Mr Conlon admitted that he had pushed the referee, but said he had no intention of doing anything except letting him know what he thought.

The court was also told that the prosecution was not relying on Mr Sludden's evidence.

The judge said an issue had arisen because the referee had withdrawn his statement of complaint.

The State has to prove that the referee was assaulted without his consent and the judge said that even though common sense and the video evidence might say one thing the law might say another.

The Dublin District Court also heard that the DPP was not proceeding against Dermot Rogers, 45, from Belfry Gardens in Dundalk.