Chris Johnson has been suspended for five matches

The Brisbane Lions defender pleaded guilty to striking Philip Jordan and Mattie Forde during the second Test at Telstra Dome last month.

A tribunal hearing, via a telephone link-up featuring AFL and GAA officials, took place on Thursday.

Johnson won't be eligible to play against Ireland again until 2008.

"You don't know how disappointed I am in myself at what happened," said Johnson, in a statement.

"To Philip Jordan and Mattie Forde, I apologise sincerely to you guys. I'd like to say to them that I can't believe it was me doing those things - it's not the way I play the game."

"I really would love to have the chance to play against them again and prove to them that it was an isolated, temporary lapse," he added.

Meanwhile, the committee that governs the playing conditions of the International Rules series announced a new rule to take effect when a player receives a red card and is sent off for the remainder of the game.

From next year, the opposing team will be awarded a penalty kick immediately after the incident, regardless of where the sending off incident takes place on the field.

In addition, the team whose player was sent off will not be able to bring on a replacement player for another 20 minutes.