Kerry student escapes criminal conviction for harassing ex-footballer Ian Wright
Patrick O’Brien admitted sending the former footballer messages that were grossly offensive, obscene and menacing. By Press Association Wednesday 3 Feb 2021, 1:42 PM Feb 3rd 2021, 1:42 PM 34,163 Views 0 Comments
Patrick O Brien (right) covers up as he leaves Tralee District Court.
Image: PA
Image: PA
AN IRISH TEENAGER who admitted to harassing footballer Ian Wright has escaped a criminal conviction.
Patrick O’Brien, of Sycamore Court, Ashleigh Downs, Tralee, abused Wright in private messages on Instagram last May after he lost a Fifa game on the PlayStation.
He had pleaded guilty to two charges: harassing Wright on 11 May contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against The Person Act 1997, and sending a message by phone that was grossly offen
AN IRISH teenager who admitted to racially abusing football pundit Ian Wright avoided a criminal conviction today a decision Wright branded disappointing.
Patrick O’Brien, of Tralee, Co Kerry, abused the former Arsenal and England striker in private messages on Instagram last May after he had lost at the video game Fifa while using Wright in his virtual team.
The 18-year-old pleaded guilty to charges relating to the incident on May 11.
But at Tralee District Court, Judge David Waters said he “didn’t see anything to be gained” by imposing a criminal conviction, and instead handed O’Brien probation.
He noted O’Brien had shown genuine remorse for his actions, and had donated €500 (£440) to the Irish Network Against Racism out of his own volition.
Updated: February 3, 2021, 3:47 pm
Patrick O’Brien arrives at Tralee District Court (Niall Carson/PA)
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An Irish teenager who admitted racially abusing football pundit Ian Wright has escaped a criminal conviction.
Patrick O’Brien, of Sycamore Court, Ashleigh Downs, Tralee, abused the former England striker in private messages on Instagram last May after he lost a Fifa game on PlayStation.
The 18-year-old pleaded guilty to harassing Wright on May 11, contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against The Person Act 1997, and sending a message by phone that was grossly offensive, obscene and menacing.
Teenager who racially abused Ian Wright online escapes criminal conviction
Ian Wright called out the racist abuse in Instagram in 2020 | Gallo Images/Getty Images
A teenager from County Kerry in Ireland has avoided a criminal conviction over sending abusive messages on social media to Arsenal and England legend Ian Wright last year.
The 18-year-old, named as Patrick O’Brien, decided to send the private messages to Wright on Instagram after he had lost a game of FIFA on the Playstation.
Arsenal legend Wright was subjected to racism on social media | Soccrates Images/Getty Images
Irish news outlet The Journal reports that O’Brien had pleaded guilty to two charge, one of harassment that goes against Ireland’s Non-Fatal Offences Against The Person Act of 1997, and another of sending a message by phone that was grossly offensive, obscene and menacing.