Latest news with #PádraigO'Sullivan
Extra.ie
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Garda advised FAI not to answer TD's claims until investigation was over
The FAI sought Garda advice on an ongoing criminal investigation before asking to defer an appearance before an Oireachtas committee. The FAI confirmed yesterday it accepted an invitation to appear before an Oireachtas committee to answer claims that it knew of allegations about a former national team manager's behaviour towards female footballers as far back as 2023. Allegations came to light in a 2024 documentary. Last week, Fianna Fáil TD Pádraig O'Sullivan – using Dáil privilege – read claims that the FAI knew about the allegation prior to the RTÉ Investigates programme. Pádraig O'Sullivan. Pic: Leah Farrell/ 'I quoted extensively from a series of correspondence that I obtained through an individual,' he said. 'The correspondence clearly demonstrates this was known nine months prior to the RTÉ Investigates programme. That in itself is damning.' He noted the FAI had received 'formal' written communication from An Garda Síochána, which stated: 'It would be preferable to the investigation if any hearing of an Oireachtas committee, in respect of these particular issues, took place after the criminal investigation has concluded.' David Courell. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile The initial correspondence between the FAI and AGS was previously provided to the committee, which shows that the FAI had sought Garda advice on appearing before the Oireachtas hearing. Éadaoin Keane, the FAI's communications director, followed up on the FAI's request as they 'need this position as soon as possible'. The Garda response noted, 'while it is not the place of the AGS to advise another organisation in this regard' it would then be 'preferable' if the meetings took place after the criminal investigation had concluded. The correspondence from Mr Courell yesterday went on: 'The FAI must take this guidance seriously. We are acutely aware of the current stage of the investigation and cannot risk a scenario where questions asked in a public forum could inadvertently influence, prejudice, or compromise the legal process or the rights of any party involved. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins 'We note the committee's point that the response from AGS does not prohibit sharing information. We interpret otherwise, but for clarity, we have, upon receipt of your query, provided AGS with a list of the evidence you are seeking.' Mr Courell offered a private session with the Oireachtas committee. He noted the volume of information requested by the committee and stated that it would require a significant amount of work to provide the information in a manner that complied with the GDPR. He also expressed concern that some information was related to specific cases, and not about policies and procedures. In a statement yesterday confirming it would attend an Oireachtas hearing, an FAI spokesman said: 'The association has requested the date be deferred by four weeks to enable adequate preparation time, given the complexity introduced by the committee seeking material that relates directly to an ongoing Garda investigation.' They said the committee originally sought availability from the FAI to discuss its 'safeguarding policies and procedure'. 'Over the intervening period, we will continue to liaise with the committee to ensure the scope of the session is clearly defined to ensure no parties could inadvertently compromise an ongoing investigation.'
The 42
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The 42
FAI seek to postpone Wednesday's Oireachtas Committee appearance by four weeks
THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION of Ireland have confirmed they will attend an Oireachtas Sport Committee meeting relating to their safeguarding policies and procedures, though have requested a four-week deferral of their appearance. The Committee invitation followed a claim made under Dáil privilege by Pádraig O'Sullivan TD that the FAI were aware of allegations made against a former women's national team manager's behaviour towards female footballers before they came to light in the media through a joint investigation by RTÉ and the Sunday Independent. The allegations against the manager in question came to light in an RTÉ Investigates programme broadcast in July 2024. Speaking under Dáil privilege last month, Pádraig O'Sullivan TD said he had seen correspondence which suggested the FAI were aware of the allegations nine months before the broadcast of the RTÉ Investigates programme. Minister of State at the department of sport Charlie McConalogue told the Dáil that the FAI did not respond inappropriately to the allegations, saying they acted in accordance with mandatory reporting requirements by contacting An Garda Síochána and Tusla once the Association received a formal complaint in January 2024. Advertisement Subsequent to these remarks by O'Sullivan, the Oireachtas Sport Committee issued an invitation to the FAI to appear before them to discuss their safeguarding policies and procedures. The FAI have now confirmed they will appear before the Committee, though have requested a four-week delay from the scheduled appearance date of Wednesday, 9 July to 'to enable adequate preparation time, given the complexity introduced by the Committee seeking material that relates directly to an ongoing Garda investigation.' The FAI requested the delay in a letter to this Committee this morning. They received an acknowledgement of the letter, but the Committee did not immediately respond to its request for a postponement. 'When the formal invite was received on Friday 27 June (eight working days prior to the session) the Committee requested a broad range of documents, many that relate specifically to an ongoing Garda investigation,' continued an FAI statement. 'Given the complexities involved in collating and considering our ability to comply with this request and to enable adequate preparation time we have sought a deferral of four weeks. Any disclosure must also be assessed carefully for legal and GDPR compliance given the sensitive and confidential nature of safeguarding information requested. 'Over the intervening period we will continue to liaise with the Committee to ensure the scope of the session is clearly defined to ensure that no parties could inadvertently compromise an ongoing investigation. 'We fully respect the important work of the Joint Committee and acknowledge the critical oversight role it plays in relation to legislation, policy, governance, expenditure and administration of the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. The FAI is fully committed to engaging constructively with the Committee on this matter and we look forward to them defining a revised date where this session can proceed. 'The Association would like to reiterate that everyone involved in Irish football should, at all times, feel that they are in a safe environment. If you have experienced any form of abuse within Irish football, you can report it by visiting The 42 has contacted the Oireachtas sport committee for comment.
Irish Examiner
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
FAI seek to push out hearing before Sports Committee on handling of historical abuse claims
The Football Association of Ireland has requested extra time from the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport to attend a hearing around the handling of historical abuse cases. Cork North Central Fianna Fáil TD Pádraig O'Sullivan, speaking under Dáil privilege last month, raised concerns that the FAI were slow in acting on information about alleged actions of the former Ireland women's manager Mick Cooke. He refutes the accusations made in the joint investigation produced by RTÉ/Sunday Independent last year. 'For an organisation such as the FAI not to act on this matter, even in the absence of an official complaint or allegation, is extremely worrying and, if I am being brutally honest, it directly contradicts its child welfare and safeguarding policy," said O'Sullivan. It followed revelations that a former senior FAI executive, ex-press chief Cathal Dervan, expressed his dissatisfaction at the association's delay in confronting the issue through a protected disclosure. A series of emails publicised show the suspicions were first raised in May 2023, whereas the FAI only formally acted on the back of a formal complaint received in January 2024. Deputy O'Sullivan's concerns led to a recent invitation being tabled for this Wednesday but the FAI cited the ongoing Garda Síochána investigation for their reticence to appear. Committee Chairman Alan Kelly duly responded last Wednesday, contending this was irrelevant to the thrust of the hearing which was to establish the circumstances around which the heavily tax-payer reliant FAI dealt with the matter. 'The FAI can confirm that an invitation to attend a meeting with the Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport has been accepted,' read an FAI statement on Monday morning. 'However, the association has requested that the date be deferred by a period of four weeks to enable adequate preparation time, given the complexity introduced by the Committee seeking material that relates directly to an ongoing Garda investigation. 'The Committee originally sought availability from the Association to discuss 'Safeguarding Policies and Procedures within the FAI'. 'Of the two dates offered the FAI were only available for Wednesday July 9 due to annual leave for key personnel on the alternative date (Wednesday July 16). 'When the formal invite was received on Friday June 27 (8 working days prior to the session) the Committee requested a broad range of documents, many that relate specifically to an ongoing Garda investigation. 'Given the complexities involved in collating and considering our ability to comply with this request and to enable adequate preparation time we have sought a deferral of four weeks. Any disclosure must also be assessed carefully for legal and GDPR compliance given the sensitive and confidential nature of safeguarding information requested. 'Over the intervening period we will continue to liaise with the Committee to ensure the scope of the session is clearly defined to ensure that no parties could inadvertently compromise an ongoing investigation. 'We fully respect the important work of the Joint Committee and acknowledge the critical oversight role it plays in relation to legislation, policy, governance, expenditure and administration of the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. 'The FAI is fully committed to engaging constructively with the Committee on this matter and we look forward to them defining a revised date where this session can proceed. 'The Association would like to reiterate that everyone involved in Irish football should, at all times, feel that they are in a safe environment. If you have experienced any form of abuse within Irish football, you can report it by visiting
RTÉ News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
FAI to attend committee over knowledge of abuse claims
The FAI said it has accepted an invitation to appear before an Oireachtas committee to answer claims by a Fianna Fáil TD that it knew of allegations about a former national team manager's behaviour towards female footballers as far back as 2023. The Committee on Arts, Media, Communications and Sport has asked the FAI to appear before it several times already this year. However, in a statement, the association asked for the meeting to be "deferred" for four weeks. The FAI claimed the postponement would "enable adequate preparation time, given the complexity introduced by the Committee seeking material that relates directly to an ongoing garda investigation". The women's allegations came to light in 2024 during an investigation conducted jointly by RTÉ Investigates and the Sunday Independent over a two-and-a-half-year period. Speaking under Dáil privilege recently, TD Pádraig O'Sullivan said recent correspondence, which he had seen, clearly demonstrates that this was known by the FAI nine months prior to the RTÉ Investigates programme. "That in itself is damning," Mr O'Sullivan said. He added: "I am not attempting to stray into the specifics of any allegations. That is a matter for the authorities concerned. "However, for an organisation such as the FAI not to act on this matter, even in the absence of an official complaint or allegation, is extremely worrying and, if I am being brutally honest, it directly contradicts its child welfare and safeguarding policy." However, Minister of State at the Department of Sport Charlie McConalogue told the Dáil that it seems that no complaint was made nor any evidence of inappropriate behaviour received by the FAI in 2023. The FAI claimed the dates offered to it by the committee, 9 or 16 July, were not viable due to "key personnel" being on annual leave and over its ability "to comply with this request and to enable adequate preparation time". "Any disclosure must also be assessed carefully for legal and GDPR compliance given the sensitive and confidential nature of safeguarding information requested. "Over the intervening period we will continue to liaise with the Committee to ensure the scope of the session is clearly defined to ensure that no parties could inadvertently compromise an ongoing investigation," the statement said. The FAI said, "we fully respect" the committee's work and it was "committed" to engaging with it at a "revised date" in the future. The association also encouraged anyone involved in Irish football that has experienced abuse to report it to them.
RTÉ News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Iranian opposition strongly criticises Department of Foreign Affairs
An Iranian opposition group has strongly criticised Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for expressing concerns about its activities. The organisation, called the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), is linked with the People's Mujahideen Of Iran (PMOI) - which wants to overthrow the regime in Iran. In a statement to RTÉ News last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it did not have any links to the NCRI or PMOI on the basis of what it termed "concerns about some aspects of its organisation and activities". However, the DFA did not detail the concerns. In response, the NCRI has since criticised the department for expressing such "vague concerns". It said: "Although the department did not specify the nature of these concerns, four decades of experience make it palpably clear that such ambiguous reservations typically arise within a broader policy context of engaging with and appeasing the Iranian regime." Spokesman for the NCRI Hossein Abedini added: "It is no secret that Tehran's ruling mullahs regard any acknowledgment or interaction with the NCRI or PMOI as an absolute red line, particularly when it comes to their foreign counterparts." He suggested that the Iranian regime view the NCRI resistance as "an existential threat, evidenced by the execution of over 100,000 of its members and supporters since 1979, including the 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners, predominantly from the PMOI". He concluded: "It is time to abandon the failed policy of appeasing the mullahs in Tehran, who represent the core of regional conflict and belligerence. "Instead, the international community should unequivocally side with the Iranian people and their democratic opposition in their quest for a free, democratic republic," he added. Last May, four Fianna Fáil TDs - Pádraig O'Sullivan, James O'Connor, Peter 'Chap' Cleere, and Tony McCormack - as well as three Fianna Fáil Senators - Erin McGreehan, Mary Fitzpatrick and Teresa Costello - participated in the NCRI conference. Also attending the event in the French capital was Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell, as well as former Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Oireachtas members.
