The minister's comments arrive in the wake of a spate of serious flashpoints, including the latest mass melee involving players and supporters in the aftermath of last Sunday's Ulster Intermediate Football Championship semi-final between Ballymacnab and Stewartstown in Casement Park.

"People who are on the receiving end of serious incidents can't let people get away with it, " the minister said. "If there is some injury done, and there are severe circumstances, the GAA should encourage it's players to take action, via the courts, and people should be punished."

The minister told The Sunday Tribune that increased legal prosecution could result in fewer violent incidents.

"In general, as it stands, people are not inclined to go down that avenue but if there were more instances of people being prosecuted, it would lead to people thinking twice [before committing violent acts]. The field of play is not a place for criminal acts and there has to be responsibility taken. In cases it's up to the Gardai to punish those that are responsible."

While this is an avenue that is being increasingly pursued of late, the minister's comments are sure be greeted with disapproval from some within the association. GAA president, Nickey Brennan said yesterday that, while he wouldn't encourage individuals to pursue the law of the land, he accepted it was an available option.

"I can't tell people what to do outside the GAA, " he said.

"I'm more concerned that our own rules and regulations will catch perpetrators of unsavoury incidents. We need to make sure those who misbehave are subjected to the full rigours of the GAA laws."

Brennan laid some of the blame for the high level of indiscipline at the door of officials and managers.

"There's a breakdown of leadership on the part of some of our officials. Some try to be the local popular boy and get a player off his suspension and I want it made clear that this level of carry on will not be tolerated.

"Some of the responsibility also rests with the manager and what he says to the players before the game."

With regard to incidents over the last few weeks, Brennan urged county and provincial bodies to 'come down as hard as they can' on perpetrators.

Meanwhile, the president confirmed that a national process must be adhered to before any club considers the sale of its grounds. "While it may make sense on occasion to move location, it can't be done unilaterally. Clubs should remember that it is at the heart of the community and they shouldn't just tear that heart out by taking a big cash offer from some builder."