Ex-Portadown FC footballer wanted over alleged assault that left Cliftonville player with broken jaw agrees to extradition to NI

Ken Oman (left), Caoimhin Bonner (right) and the injuries Bonner suffered during the game (centre).

A former Portadown FC footballer has consented to his surrender to Northern Ireland, where he is wanted to face charges that he broke another player’s jaw during an Irish Premiership match.

Ken Oman (41), who is based in Dublin, is wanted in Belfast in relation to an incident that occurred in a league match against Cliftonville seven years ago.

It is alleged he injured an opponent during a game between his former club and Cliftonville at the Reds’ north Belfast Solitude stadium.

The former centre-back, who is a three-time League of Ireland winner and former Ireland U21 international, is accused of elbowing then Cliftonville player Caoimhín Bonner in the mouth during the game on December 10, 2016.

The incident, which was captured by TV cameras, resulted in Mr Bonner sustaining a broken upper jaw and having two of his front teeth knocked out.

Mr Oman received a six-match ban from the Irish Football Association, the warrant states.

The warrant states that the matter had been referred to the PSNI, who invited Mr Oman to attend an interview, but the defendant declined to do so.

At the High Court today, Marc Thompson Grolimund BL, for Mr Oman, said his client was voluntarily surrendering himself to authorities in Northern Ireland and had engaged a solicitor there.

Mr Oman, of Glasnevin Downs, Dublin 11, spoke only to confirm to Mr Thompson Grolimund that he had been fully advised of his legal options and that he was fully aware of the implications of his surrender to Northern Ireland to face prosecution.

Mr Oman then signed his consent papers and handed them to the registrar.

Ms Amy Deane BL, for the Minister for Justice, said