AN IRISH teenager who admitted to racially abusing football pundit Ian Wright avoided a criminal conviction today — a decision Wright branded disappointing.

Patrick O’Brien, of Tralee, Co Kerry, abused the former Arsenal and England striker in private messages on Instagram last May after he had lost at the video game Fifa while using Wright in his virtual team.

The 18-year-old pleaded guilty to charges relating to the incident on May 11.

But at Tralee District Court, Judge David Waters said he “didn’t see anything to be gained” by imposing a criminal conviction, and instead handed O’Brien probation.

He noted O’Brien had shown genuine remorse for his actions, and had donated €500 (£440) to the Irish Network Against Racism out of his own volition.

The judge said the language used by the teen was reprehensible, but was the unthinking behaviour of a “a naive young man.”

He added that O’Brien had written an apology to Wright, which was accepted by the former footballer.

But in a statement posted on Twitter, Mr Wright said: “This case was never about revenge, it was always about consequences for acts of racism.

“My forgiveness of this young man was for my own deeply personal need and desire to move forward without further anguish.

“I am a 57-year-old man that has experienced racism throughout my life.

“I wasn’t expecting my forgiveness to be an invitation to lighten a sentence.

“Seeing this judgment, I can only wonder what deterrent there is for anyone else who spouts this kind of vile racist abuse.

“An individual wished death upon me because of my skin colour.

“No judge’s claims of ‘naivety’ or ‘immaturity’ will ever be acceptable to us.

“The supposed immaturity and naivety of our attackers is never any comfort.

“So yeah I am disappointed. I’m tired. We are all tired.”