GAA manager Rory Gallagher seeks damages from Jarlath Burns and the association over alleged defamation
and its president, Jarlath Burns.
A plenary summons filed in the High Court contains a series of claims linked to a controversy earlier this year about his taking on a new role with the Naas senior football team.
After it emerged in January that he was being considered for the role, Mr Burns emailed the Kildare club outlining his concerns and the Naas GAA executive opted not to go ahead with the proposed appointment.
Mr Gallagher, a former Fermanagh and Cavan footballer, stepped down as Derry manager in May 2023 after his ex-wife, Nicola, made allegations of domestic abuse. A PSNI investigation brought no charges.
READ MORE
An Ulster Council 'temporary debarment' pending review was overturned by the GAA's independent Dispute Resolution Authority in February 2024.
'I categorically deny the allegations levelled against me. I have engaged with every procedure available to me,' Mr Gallagher said in a statement in January.
'The [Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland] have issued two separate decisions finding that I have no case to answer.
'I have the full custody of my three children, and most importantly I engaged with the GAA's own procedures which set aside my disbarment.'
Mr Burns, in his correspondence with Naas, acknowledged he had no authority to dictate club decisions and offered his opinion that the appointment of Mr Gallagher could have far-reaching consequences.
Now Mr Gallagher is seeking damages against GAA director Tomás Ó Riain, as the nominated representative of the GAA, and Mr Burns in his personal capacity and in his role as president of the association.
He is seeking damages for alleged defamation arising from an email sent on January 5th and an injunction preventing the defendants from publishing any 'similar malicious falsehoods'.
Mr Gallagher wants a declaration that the defendants acted in breach of contract and due process when they, in effect, disciplined him on January 5th, thereby failing to be bound by a determination of the Dispute Resolution Authority in February 2024, and associated damages.
He is further seeking a declaration, and damages, that the defendants wrongfully induced or procured Naas to breach its lawful contractual obligations arising from a contract 'made orally' between him and the Kildare club on or about late December 2024.
Mr Gallagher also wants an order restraining the defendants from inducing or procuring breaches of any contracts that may exist between him and other GAA clubs.
In his case, where he is being represented by Phoenix Law solicitors, Belfast, Mr Gallagher is also seeking several other declarations and orders by the court.
A spokesman for the GAA said it had no comment.
On RTE's the Late Late Show in January, Mr Burns expressed the hope that Mr Gallagher would not take legal action.
'There is always a way back for people,' he said. 'The GAA is not interested in cancel culture. There is always a way back for people and we have told Rory that as well. Rory is aware of the way back for him. I wish him and all of his family well and I hope we can reach a resolution on this.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
33 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Worker who suffered brain injury after being hit by steel jack settles case for €4.75m
A man who suffered a traumatic brain injury when he was allegedly struck by a steel jack that dislodged when a car drove by road works has settled a High Court action for €4.75 million. Karam Ali (25) was a general operative laying ducts on Shantalla Road in Galway city when the incident happened five years ago, the court heard on Wednesday. Edward Walsh SC, for Mr Ali, said a car struck a steel jack, which then collided with Mr Ali. Counsel said liability was conceded last year and the case was before the court for assessment of damages only. The settlement was reached after mediation. READ MORE He said Mr Ali suffered an acquired brain injury and now has difficulty with concentration, excess fatigue and other problems. He had been in this country for eight months when the incident occurred. Mr Ali, with an address in Bradford, England, had sued car driver Mohamed El Helali of Barnacranny, Bushy Park, Galway, as a result of the incident on May 1st, 2020. It was claimed that the car suddenly and without warning struck a steel jack, which in turn hit Mr Ali, and he suffered catastrophic injuries. Mr Ali was wearing a safety helmet, which it was claimed was knocked off. It was also claimed there was a failure to appreciate the presence of Mr Ali on the roadway and a failure to appreciate that works were ongoing. It was further claimed that the driver allegedly neglected to look where he was driving and allegedly failed to drive with due care and attention and to proceed cautiously past the works where Mr Ali was working. There was, it was claimed, a failure to take account of the roadworks and traffic conditions at the time, and to take heed of Mr Ali on the public road. Mr Ali sustained fractures to the skull and was taken to hospital in Galway. He was later transferred to Dublin, where he had to have an operation to remove part of his skull to manage brain swelling due to severe traumatic brain injury. His family travelled to Ireland to be at his bedside and he was later transferred to a British hospital. Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was fair and reasonable.
Dublin Live
41 minutes ago
- Dublin Live
DJ Carey pleads guilty to defrauding people of money by pretending he had cancer
Former hurling star DJ Carey has pleaded guilty to inducing people to give him money after fraudulently claiming to have cancer. Billionaire Denis O'Brien is among the several people the ex-Kilkenny sportsman induced to pay him money by fraudulently claiming to have cancer and needing to fund the treatment. Carey, 54, is one of the most acclaimed figures in GAA history, having won five All-Ireland titles and nine All-Star awards. When he retired from inter-county hurling in 2006, he was hailed as an 'idol' for young players and a legend of the game. Appearing at the Circuit Court in the Criminal Courts of Justice, Carey stood to plead guilty to 10 charges put to him. The court heard that while cancer was referred to in the charges, Carey 'does have very genuine health conditions' and required surgery for a heart condition. A sentencing date has been set for Wednesday October 29. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
Teenager who died in fall at lake in Co Kerry named as Darragh Byrne (16)
A teenager who died in a fall at a lake at the Conor Pass in Co Kerry, has been named as 16-year-old Darragh Byrne from Charleville in Co Cork. He was a student at CBS Charleville and an only child, it is understood. He had been visiting the waterfall alongside the road at the pass with his parents. The teenager had set off to climb in the direction of Pedlar's lake, also known as Doon lake, a 15-minute climb overhead. When he did not return his parents Siobhán and James raised the alarm at around 3.30pm on Tuesday. READ MORE Rescue services were quickly on the scene in an operation coordinated by Valentia Marine Rescue Station. The Coast Guard helicopter located the teenager. Emergency medical assistance was administered at the scene and a doctor attended, but he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. Gerry Christie, an experienced member of Kerry Mountain Rescue, said that while it is not known exactly what occurred, the scramble up to the lake was not particularly dangerous and the boy's injuries were consistent with a considerable fall. Darragh's body was removed to University Hospital Kerry, where a postmortem examination will be conducted. Darragh Byrne, who died in a fall at the Conor Pass in Co Kerry. Photograph: Charleville CBS/Facebook It is understood Darragh was a keen rock climber, cyclist and a popular student. Friends and classmates gathered at the CBS in Charleville on Wednesday to open a book of condolences for him. In a statement on social media, the school said: 'Darragh was a bright and uplifting presence in our school community – a gentle, kind-hearted, and considerate young person who radiated warmth and positivity. Whether in the classroom, walking our corridors, or spending time with his friends, he left a meaningful and lasting impact. His generous nature, intelligence and talent inspired all who knew him.'
