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Irish Times
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
GAA manager Rory Gallagher seeks damages from Jarlath Burns and the association over alleged defamation
GAA coach and former Derry football manager Rory Gallagher is seeking damages for alleged defamation and wants injunctions against the organisation 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.'
The 42
01-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Rory Gallagher takes High Court case against GAA President and Director-General
FORMER DERRY FOOTBALL manager Rory Gallagher has launched a High Court case against the GAA's President Jarlath Burns and Ard Stiúrthóir Tom Ryan. Solicitors on behalf of Gallagher, from firm Phoenix Law, filed a case on Friday against the senior GAA bosses. The ex-Derry manager is seeking damages from the men. Gallagher was poised to be appointed as the coach of Naas GAA, the four-in-a-row Kildare champions, in January but the club quickly announced that it had reconsidered the position, following reports of the appointment. It was subsequently revealed that Burns had intervened in an email to Naas, while 'an extraordinary volume' of emails were also sent to the club secretary from the membership of the Kildare club. In May 2023, Gallagher stepped down as Derry manager in the wake of domestic abuse allegations made by his estranged wife, Nicola Gallagher. The Police Service of Northern Ireland investigated the allegations, and forwarded two files to Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in 2022, but no charges were brought. In a statement in May 2023, the PPS said: 'It was determined that there was insufficient evidence to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction for any offence in relation to any individual.' A previous statement by Gallagher, issued through his solicitor Darragh Mackin of Phoenix Law, said: 'At all stages of this process, our client has firmly and steadfastly denied his guilt and refuted all the allegations levelled against him.' Advertisement In a statement in January to the Irish Independent, Gallagher described the GAA President's actions as 'unprecedented' and 'an effort to sabotage my potential appointment'. 'With great power comes great responsibility. Mr Burns' actions are premised on a misguided and self-serving compulsion to share his concern,' Gallagher said. He added: 'By Mr Burns' own admission, his motivation is the 'controversy' surrounding my 'personal life' that 'has created division'. These words should be a matter of concern to not just me and my family, but to every GAA member. 'It seems that social media commentary and controversy now equates to a licence for presidential intervention.' Gallagher threatened to take legal action to 'cure the irreparable damage done to me and my family' if the GAA President did not formally retract his communication with the club. Burns later said he would not retract his communications with the club and defended his email, claiming he would continue to have a hands-on approach to his role. 'I made it clear when I became president that I wouldn't be a hands-off president,' Burns told the Late Late Show in January. 'I did take the opportunity to contact Naas and let them know the reservations that I had.' Burns added that Naas GAA would have always had the final decision to appoint Gallagher to the role or not, and that there would not have been any repercussions had they chosen to not follow his advice. Phoenix Law and the GAA have both been contacted for comment. Written by Muiris O'Cearbhaill and posted on
The Journal
01-07-2025
- Sport
- The Journal
Former Derry football boss Rory Gallagher is suing the GAA President and Director
FORMER DERRY FOOTBALL manager Rory Gallagher has launched a High Court case against the GAA's President Jarlath Burns and Ard Stiúrthóir Tom Ryan. Solicitors on behalf of Gallagher, from firm Phoenix Law, filed lodged a case on Friday against the senior GAA bosses. The ex-Derry manager is seeking damages from the men. Gallagher was poised to be appointed as the coach of Naas GAA, the four-in-a-row Kildare champions, in January but the club quickly announced that it had reconsidered the position , following reports of the appointment. It was subsequently revealed that Burns had intervened in an email to Naas, while 'an extraordinary volume' of emails were also sent to the club secretary from the membership of the Kildare club. In May 2023, Gallagher stepped down as Derry manager in the wake of domestic abuse allegations made by his estranged wife, Nicola Gallagher. The Police Service of Northern Ireland investigated the allegations, and forwarded two files to Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in 2022, but no charges were brought. In a statement in May 2023, the PPS said: 'It was determined that there was insufficient evidence to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction for any offence in relation to any individual.' A previous statement by Gallagher, issued through his solicitor Darragh Mackin of Phoenix Law, said: 'At all stages of this process, our client has firmly and steadfastly denied his guilt and refuted all the allegations levelled against him.' Advertisement In a statement in January to the Irish Independent, Gallagher described the GAA President's actions as 'unprecedented' and 'an effort to sabotage my potential appointment'. 'With great power comes great responsibility. Mr Burns' actions are premised on a misguided and self-serving compulsion to share his concern,' Gallagher said. He added: 'By Mr Burns' own admission, his motivation is the 'controversy' surrounding my 'personal life' that 'has created division'. These words should be a matter of concern to not just me and my family, but to every GAA member. 'It seems that social media commentary and controversy now equates to a licence for presidential intervention.' Gallagher threatened to take legal action to 'cure the irreparable damage done to me and my family' if the GAA President did not formally retract his communication with the club. Burns later said he would not retract his communications with the club and defended his email , claiming he would continue to have a hands-on approach to his role. 'I made it clear when I became president that I wouldn't be a hands-off president,' Burns told the Late Late Show in January. 'I did take the opportunity to contact Naas and let them know the reservations that I had.' Burns added that Naas GAA would have always had the final decision to appoint Gallagher to the role or not, and that there would not have been any repercussions had they chosen to not follow his advice. Phoenix Law and GAA have both been contacted for comment. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
