IRFU reprimand player who allegedly urinated on a member of the public in a Dublin pub

An Ireland player has been sanctioned by the IRFU following an incident that took place in a Dublin pub in the aftermath of Leinster’s Guinness PRO14 title win over Glasgow last month. 

Members of the Leinster squad were celebrating their end-of-season success in a packed bar when a player allegedly urinated on a member of the public. Details of this incident were shared widely on social media.

An IRFU spokesperson told independent.ie: “The IRFU have investigated an incident of inappropriate behaviour by a player which occurred on 26th May 2019. 

“The player has expressed his deep regret and has been sanctioned in line with the provisions of his contract. The player has apologised to the individual involved. The IRFU, and the player, regret any upset that this incident has caused.”

While the IRFU spokesperson did not name the player involved, the website alleged that Sean O’Brien was the player at the heart of the investigation.

'The player has expressed his deep regret' – Sean O'Brien 'sanctioned' by IRFU over incident in pub https://t.co/fYkJWSdvc2

— Irish Independent Sport (@IndoSport) June 24, 2019

The flanker, who is joining London Irish next season, is still officially centrally contracted by the IRFU until the end of the World Cup in Japan and this was why they – not Leinster – carried out the investigation. 

O’Brien is currently injured and will miss the World Cup having last played for Leinster in the Heineken Champions Cup defeat to Saracens last month. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx7rQRnIOzn/

The reprimanding of the Ireland back row followed a separate incident where it was alleged that a Leinster academy player required hospital treatment after being knocked out by a punch from a former player who had come to Dublin to take part in the club’s 10-year anniversary celebrations of their 2009 Heineken European Cup win. 

A statement issued by the club a fortnight ago read: “An internal investigation was carried out by Leinster Rugby, which has concluded to the satisfaction of all parties and as a result we will not be making any further comment on the incident other than to confirm that the player in question received medical attention and that he has made a full recovery.”

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