Richmond Park Closure for St Pat's Home Games After Incident

Part of Richmond Park’s main stand will be closed for two of St Patrick’s Athletic’s upcoming home fixtures after an incident in last Friday’s defeat to Waterford.

The move comes after Waterford player Jorgen Voilas was allegedly struck by a spectator during St Pat’s 2-0 loss, prompting action from the Football Association of Ireland’s disciplinary bodies.

An Independent Disciplinary Committee of the FAI has handed down a fine and ordered a one-match closure of Section G in the main stand. On top of that, it has triggered a previously suspended one-match closure of the same section, meaning a total of two games behind barriers for that part of the ground.

The club retains the right to appeal.

Timing, though, spares one of their biggest immediate dates. St Pat’s are due to host Bohemians on Saturday, and with that fixture looming, the FAI has ruled that the closure cannot be implemented in time. Operationally, it is simply too tight a turnaround.

So the punishment bites later.

As it stands, Section G will be shut for the visit of Shamrock Rovers on 11 September and Shelbourne on 16 October, two heavyweight league fixtures in Inchicore that will now go ahead with a reduced capacity in the main stand.

In a statement, the League of Ireland confirmed: “Following the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division fixture between St Patrick’s Athletic FC and Waterford FC at Richmond Park on Friday, 28 August 2026, during which a player was struck by a spectator, an Independent Disciplinary Committee of the FAI has imposed a fine and a one match closure of Section G of the Main Stand of Richmond Park.

“The Committee have also activated a previously suspended one match closure of Section G.

“Given the limited time between Saturday’s fixture against Bohemian FC, the closures will take effect following that fixture to allow the necessary operational arrangements to be implemented. Section G will therefore be closed for St Patrick’s Athletic FC’s next two home league fixtures.

“This decision may be appealed in accordance with the FAI Disciplinary Regulations.”

For St Pat’s, the focus now moves from the fallout in the stands to how a partially closed Richmond Park will feel on two crucial league nights – and whether an appeal can change that picture.