The Meath-based referee who contemplated taking his own life two years ago after being trolled on social media has called for Garda action after Paddy O'Rourke was subjected to similar online abuse last Sunday.

The Meath goalkeeper was on the receiving end of some sickening abuse on twitter after being sent off for a dangerous challenge on Kieran Martin in the dying moments of the Leinster SFC semi-final defeat by Westmeath. One mindless 'keyboard warrior' even threatened to 'knife' the Skryne clubman.

Tyrone native Patrick Nelis was also targeted on social media after taking charge of the 2013 Meath SFC final between Summerhill and Na Fianna, and wants legislation put in place to stop such abuse from taking place in future.

"They are only cowards hiding behind a screen," he told the Irish Sun.

"If they can't say it face-to-face, don't say it at all. In my eyes, they are not true supporters. The Gardai need to get involved. If someone is going around threatening to stab someone, that's serious.

"There should be some sort of law brought in to prevent this and hold those who do it accountable."

Nelis is back refereeing again after his own experience of online abuse.

"My health is good and I'm back working. I got a huge amount of support and well wishes since I came back as well," he explained.

"I get small bits of abuse here and there on the field, but it is very little since I came back. Some people hide their identity, but others don't.

"Some of the tweets Paddy got, I actually know who some of those people are. It is all about mental health as well. People didn't know what I was going through in my personal life and they don't know what Paddy could be going through."

Tweet

Most Read Stories