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The Journal
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
The telling three-word answer that indicated how George Gibney plans to plead
Jane Moore reports from Orlando WHEN YOU WALK into the Four Courts on Dublin's Inns Quay, the building is usually bustling with life. Under the domed ceiling of the landmark building that houses Ireland's main courts, solicitors and barristers can be seen coming and going in their robes, with some lugging trolleys carrying boxes of files behind them. Those waiting for their cases to be heard are often seen occupying benches outside the numerous courtrooms, with members of the public – and members of the media – also found wandering the corridors of the 18th century building. This scene could not have been further from what The Journal encountered inside the US Middle District Court in Florida. Shortly before 9am on Friday morning (that's 2pm Irish time), there was no one to be found on the ground floor of the large, modern building on West Central Boulevard in downtown Orlando save for some friendly security staff, who informed me that electronics were not permitted beyond that point. In Ireland, journalists are not allowed to broadcast proceedings within a courtroom, though writing on a phone or a laptop is permitted. They frequently file their stories to the newsroom right from where they're sitting in court. In Florida, I was going to have to make do with the trusty pen and paper. After taking the lift to the fifth floor of the vast, light-filled federal building and walking along the gleaming black-tiled floor, I reached the double doors of courtroom 5C, where George Gibney was the only show in town. The former Irish national swimming coach was scheduled to appear at 10am for a detention hearing, having been arrested in Florida last week on foot of an extradition warrant from Ireland. Initially, he was all set to challenge this in the courts. Extradition requests are complex, and it was not clear whether this would be the end of a life on the run, or the beginning of a long, drawn-out process that would potentially not see him return to Ireland for years, if at all. But on Thursday, while I was less than halfway through a nine-hour flight to the Sunshine State to cover the hearing, freshly-filed court documents confirmed that he had agreed to be returned to Ireland. It is not known what changed his mind. Inside the courtroom, the 77-year-old was already in place waiting for the hearing to begin. He was sitting in a wheelchair in front of a desk on the right of the room speaking quietly to his defence lawyer Aisha Nash. Twice, he looked over at the three journalists sitting at the back of the wood-panelled room on the left. The large courtroom was almost empty, aside from staff and a security guard. Advertisement Seeing him sitting with his fingers intertwined in his lap, looking old and frail and wearing prison-issue clothes with flip flops and what appeared to be bandages on his feet, it was difficult to comprehend the crimes that he has been accused of, which span decades. Previous case collapsed Gibney was an internationally-renowned swimming coach in the 1980s and early 1990s. In Ireland, he enjoyed somewhat of a celebrity status and regularly appeared in the media as the celebrated Olympic coach in a decade where the country saw Gary O'Toole and Michelle Smith compete for medals. This came to an end in the early 1990s, after six swimmers came forward and made sworn statements to gardaí alleging that they had been abused by Gibney. In 1993, he appeared in court in Dún Laoghaire facing 27 charges of child sexual abuse beginning as far back as 1967 – though under Irish law, the media was not permitted to publish his name. What happened next is almost incomprehensible. His lawyers argued that the length of time since the alleged offences meant it could prejudice his right to a fair trial, that the dates of the alleged offences were not specific enough and that he could not hope to find witnesses to establish an alibi. Gibney's challenge was successful, and the case collapsed. He left Ireland to work as a swimming coach at a club in Edinburgh. But when parents discovered the allegations against him, he fled to the United States in 1995. He has been there ever since. In 2020, Gibney was brought back into the spotlight by the BBC and Second Captains podcast titled 'Where is George Gibney?' , which covered the history of the sexual abuse allegations against him. The ten-part series featured interviews with swimmers he allegedly abused as well as coaches he worked with and journalists who reported on his alleged crimes at the time, interwoven with the producers tracking him down to Altamonte Springs, a small city in Florida. The podcast prompted four women to come forward to gardaí and allege that Gibney had sexually abused them between 1971 and 1981. They were aged between eight and 15 when the alleged abuse took place. Their allegations are the reason why Gibney was sitting in an Orlando courthouse today. 'All rise,' the bailiff said as Magistrate Judge Daniel C Irick entered courtroom 5C at 10.04am. All did rise, apart from Gibney, who put his two hands together in a prayer motion and nodded at the judge. After confirming that he had received the affidavit from Gibney's legal team in which he consented to be extradited to Ireland, Judge Irick asked that he be placed under oath and moved in front of a microphone so that he could hear him clearly. 'Mr Gibney is in desperate need of glasses,' defence lawyer Aisha Nash said when asked if her client had the affidavit in front of him. She told the judge that while he 'can't see too well', she had read through the document verbatim with Gibney and that he understood that he was waiving his right to a hearing and agreeing to be returned to Ireland. A telling response Judge Irick proceeded to go through the waiver with Gibney to confirm what he had sworn to. After each question the judge posed, Gibney looked from the bench to Nash, who then repeated the question to him. Related Reads George Gibney tells Florida court he intends to challenge the case against him in Ireland George Gibney agrees to be extradiated to Ireland 'as soon as possible' to face 79 charges Former Irish swimming coach George Gibney agrees to extradition from US to face 79 charges for sexual offences 'Do you admit that you are the individual whom charges are pending against?' the judge asked. 'Yes,' Gibney answered. He answered yes to almost every question in a low, somewhat hoarse tone, apart from to say 'no' when asked if he had a medical condition or mental issue, and when asked if he had been coerced in any way into his decision to waive his rights. But the answer that stood out from the 11-minute hearing came after the judge asked Gibney if he understood that he could challenge the extradition request. 'Oh, I will,' he said clearly. There was a brief moment of pause before his lawyer leaned in to clarify the question to him. She could be heard saying 'not here', and appeared to be explaining to him that while he was not challenging the extradition request to Ireland, he was free to challenge the case against him once he is returned. This was followed by a 'yes' into the microphone from Gibney in answer to the judge's question. His initial three-word answer was telling. From a man who has not been heard from for nearly 30 years, who is accused of sexual abuse dating back five decades, it was a clear indication that he intends to fight the charges. Before the hearing concluded at 10.15am, Judge Irick said Gibney had answered all of his questions appropriately, and he ordered that he be extradited to Ireland. All-but-one rose again as he left the courtroom, and Gibney was wheeled out by two US Marshals. He will remain in custody in Orange County Jail until his extradition. This is a process that can take months or sometimes years to finalise, but a source has told The Journal that the planning is well underway. It is expected that a date will likely be decided next week. Once he returns to Ireland, Gibney will be brought to court, hear the charges against him read aloud and asked how he intends to plead. If his telling response today is anything to go by, it looks likely that he already knows how he intends to plead. 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The Journal
11-07-2025
- The Journal
George Gibney agrees to be extradiated to Ireland 'as soon as possible' to face 79 charges
LAST UPDATE | 5 hrs ago GEORGE GIBNEY HAS agreed to be extradited to Ireland from the US 'as soon as possible' to face 79 charges in connection with the alleged abuse of four girls. In an affidavit filed with a Florida court overnight, the former Irish National and Olympic swimming coach confirmed his decision to waive his right to a hearing to challenge his extradition. The 77-year-old, who fled to the US in 1995, was arrested in Florida last week on foot of the extradition request from the Department of Foreign Affairs. He is facing 78 charges of indecent assault, and one charge of attempted rape related to dates between 1971 and 1981. Following his arrest, he submitted an application to contest the extradition. But it emerged yesterday that Gibney has withdrawn this application and agreed to be extradited to Ireland. In the affidavit, filed to the US Middle District Court in Orlando overnight and dated 9 July, Gibney stated that he has been fully informed of his rights by his attorney and has agreed to waive them. He asked the court 'to expedite my return, in custody, to Ireland'. 'I admit that I am the individual against whom charges are pending in Ireland and for whom process is outstanding there,' the affidavit reads. 'I fully understand that in the absence of a waiver of my rights, I cannot be compelled to return to Ireland unless and until a court in the United States issues a ruling certifying my extradition and the Secretary of State of the United States issues a warrant of surrender.' Gibney also said that he has reviewed the complaint against him and that he fully understands his right to a hearing 'at which my counsel and I could challenge the extradition request presented by the Government of Ireland'. 'I hereby waive my rights under the extradition treaty and the applicable sections of Title 18 of the United States Code, and agree to be transported in custody, as soon as possible, to Ireland, and to remain in custody of the United States Marshal pending the arrival of duly authorised representatives from Ireland.' The affidavit is signed by Gibney and his attorney. Uncertainty Gibney is still listed as required to appear at a hearing in a Florida courthouse today, but uncertainty remains over whether he will appear in person. He is due to appear at the US Middle District Court in downtown Orlando for a hearing on his continued detention. His withdrawal of an application to contest the extradition means he may avoid a court appearance today – but court officials have told The Journal that he will still be required to appear before the court when it sits at 10am Florida time (3pm Irish time). His four alleged victims were all swimmers that he coached in a Dublin swimming club when they say he abused them. They were aged between 8 and 15 years old at the time. Advertisement The women are only identified by initials. Details of their allegations against Gibney have been seen by The Journal . The first complainant told investigators that her parents were friends with Gibney and his wife, and that she used to babysit his children. She alleged that on a date between 1975 and 1976, when she was around 11 or 12 years old, she was sleeping having been babysitting Gibney's children in his home when she was awoken by Gibney, who proceeded to sexually assault her. She recalled 'being fondled and feeling uncomfortable' and him touching her breasts. She said that because her parents and the broader swimming community held Gibney in such high esteem, she felt both that she was 'being chosen and special, but also uncomfortable and wrong.' She never told anyone about the incident. The woman recalled another incident when she was around 12 or 13 years old. She was using the bathroom in the women's changing room of the Dublin swimming club when Gibney entered and assaulted her. She said that he used a 'soft voice, a soothing voice, that didn't work because it wasn't a soothing situation.' She left the swim club shortly after this incident. She told investigators that she remembered Gibney calling her parents to ask what was going on, and feeling 'powerful that he was sweating it out because he knew why [she] left and he didn't know if [she] had told [her] parents or not.' The second complainant told investigators that Gibney coached her every day. Her mother was friends with Gibney's wife and from the time she was 12, she would babysit his children. She told investigators that he first sexually assaulted her when she was around 13 years old. The woman said that between January 1976 and June 1977, the abuse happened on approximately a weekly basis in the changing rooms, gym, hall and sauna of the swimming club. She said the abuse involved 'a mix of everything' and that she told her friends about it at the time. They told her that Gibney had also assaulted them. 'Nobody would believe you' The third complainant told investigators that she swam for another coach at the Dublin swimming club when she was 13 or 14 years old before she advanced and Gibney began coaching her. She said that he would drive her and other swimmers who lived in the same area to and from lessons. She described one incident between 1980 and 1981 when he was driving her to training. She said he put his hand on her knee, before moving it to her groin. She recalled telling him: 'Get your hands off me or I'm going to tell my Dad.' She said he responded by telling her she was 'ugly anyways, nobody would believe you.' The woman said she believed that Gibney was 'testing the waters to see what he could get away with.' After this incident, she stopped going to early swim lessons so that she would not have to take a lift with him, before eventually quitting altogether. She told investigators that she informed her partner of the abuse in July 2021 after experiencing what she described as a mental breakdown, before subsequently seeking psychiatric help. A photograph of George Gibney, which was submitted as part of a passport application in 2019. Gibney taught the fourth complainant how to swim, and she described her view of him as 'hero worship'. She said he was aware that she was part of a big family and did not receive much attention at home. She alleged that he regularly offered her a lift home before he began assaulting her. This began with kissing and hugging before culminating in an attempted rape. She told investigators that Gibney sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions when she was between the ages of 8 and 12 years old. Where is George Gibney? Gibney appeared in court in Dublin in 1993 charged with 27 counts of indecency, after six swimmers came forward and accused him of abuse dating back to the 1960s. Their allegations are not part of the current case against him. However, Gibney successfully challenged his prosecution in the High Court in 1994. The court ruled that due to how old the allegations were, they could not be properly defended. The State did not appeal the ruling. Related Reads Former Irish swimming coach George Gibney agrees to extradition from US to face 79 charges for sexual offences George Gibney arrested in Florida and faces up to 79 charges in Ireland, including attempted rape File on George Gibney sent to DPP after Garda investigation into new allegations Having taken a job in Scotland in 1994, where he coached at an Edinburgh swimming club, he eventually fled to the US in 1995 and has been there ever since. He resides in Altamonte Springs in Florida. In 2020, the BBC and Second Captains podcast titled 'Where is George Gibney?' , which focused on survivors of his alleged abuse, was released. The podcast traced him to Florida, but when confronted by the producers, he refused to speak about the allegations against him. Following the release of the podcast, the four now-women came forward and told Gardaí that Gibney had abused them. The court documents make extensive references to the podcast and its role in the investigation into Gibney. A fresh criminal investigation was then launched. Ireland used an Interpol request to seek Gibney's cooperation with their investigation. In June 2021, a special agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement met and spoke with Gibney to seek a voluntary interview, but he refused to engage with An Garda Síochána and would not consent to the interview. In May 2023, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) directed that he should face 79 charges. Last October, the Irish embassy in Washington formally made a request to US authorities to arrest Gibney in order for him to be extradited to Ireland. He was arrested in Florida last Tuesday. Irish and US authorities had planned for the execution of the arrest for over a week. Flight risk Gibney appeared before Orlando District Court Judge Daniel Irick for 11 minutes before being remanded in custody. Documents submitted to the court last week, before Gibney agreed to be extradited to Ireland, state that the former swimming coach would be likely to flee if granted bail and should stay in custody pending his extradition. In a submission to the court requesting that Gibney be detained and denied bail, seen by The Journal , US attorney Gregory W Kehoe wrote: 'Gibney is a flight risk and a danger to the community. 'As an initial matter, Gibney is alleged to have sexually assaulted at least four minor girls, abusing his authority as their swimming coach, over a period of several years. The seriousness of the offenses for which Gibney is charged in Ireland heightens his risk of flight.' Kehoe wrote that Gibney's age and the amount of time in prison he ould face also adds to him being a flight risk. 'In relocating to the United States after the first set of allegations was dismissed, Gibney was able to evade the investigation of these allegations in Ireland. He wrote that allowance of bail in any amount 'would not guarantee the fugitive's presence in court and would invite the possibility of embarrassing the United States in the conduct of its foreign affairs'. 'Either Gibney's danger to the community or flight risk would be enough, standing alone, for the Court to deny any forthcoming application for bail.' Support is available: One in Four provides support for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse; you can call 01 662 4070 or email info@ An extensive list of support services, for people in Ireland and abroad, can be read here . 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
The 42
11-07-2025
- The 42
Uncertainty remains over whether George Gibney will appear in Florida court today
GEORGE GIBNEY IS still listed as required to appear at a hearing in a Florida courthouse today. But uncertainty remains over whether the former Irish National and Olympic swimming coach will appear in person, after he agreed to be extradited to Ireland where he will face 79 charges in connection with the alleged abuse of four girls. It will be the first time in 30 years that the former Irish National and Olympic swimming coach will have been in a courtroom, after he fled to the United States in the 1990s. The 77-year-old, who fled to the US in the 1990s,was arrested in Florida last week on foot of the extradition request from the Department of Foreign Affairs. He is due to appear at the US Middle District Court in downtown Orlando for a hearing on his continued detention. He had submitted an application to contest the extradition but it emerged yesterday that Gibney has withdrawn this application and agreed to be extradited to Ireland. This could mean he may avoid a court appearance today – but court officials have told The Journal that he will still be required to appear before the court when it sits at 10am Florida time (3pm Irish time). Gibney is facing 78 charges of indecent assault, and one charge of attempted rape related to dates between 1971 and 1981. The four alleged victims were all swimmers that he coached in a Dublin swimming club when they say he abused them. They were aged between 8 and 15 years old at the time. The women are only identified by initials. Details of their allegations against Gibney have been seen by The Journal. Allegations The first complainant told investigators that her parents were friends with Gibney and his wife, and that she used to babysit his children. She alleged that on a date between 1975 and 1976, when she was around 11 or 12 years old, she was sleeping having been babysitting Gibney's children in his home when she was awoken by Gibney, who proceeded to sexually assault her. She recalled 'being fondled and feeling uncomfortable' and him touching her breasts. She said that because her parents and the broader swimming community held Gibney in such high esteem, she felt both that she was 'being chosen and special, but also uncomfortable and wrong.' She never told anyone about the incident. The woman recalled another incident when she was around 12 or 13 years old. She was using the bathroom in the women's changing room of the Dublin swimming club when Gibney entered and assaulted her. She said that he used a 'soft voice, a soothing voice, that didn't work because it wasn't a soothing situation.' Advertisement She left the swim club shortly after this incident. She told investigators that she remembered Gibney calling her parents to ask what was going on, and feeling 'powerful that he was sweating it out because he knew why [she] left and he didn't know if [she] had told [her] parents or not.' The second complainant told investigators that Gibney coached her every day. Her mother was friends with Gibney's wife and from the time she was 12, she would babysit his children. She told investigators that he first sexually assaulted her when she was around 13 years old. The woman said that between January 1976 and June 1977, the abuse happened on approximately a weekly basis in the changing rooms, gym, hall and sauna of the swimming club. She said the abuse involved 'a mix of everything' and that she told her friends about it at the time. They told her that Gibney had also assaulted them. 'Nobody would believe you' The third complainant told investigators that she swam for another coach at the Dublin swimming club when she was 13 or 14 years old before she advanced and Gibney began coaching her. She said that he would drive her and other swimmers who lived in the same area to and from lessons. She described one incident between 1980 and 1981 when he was driving her to training. She said he put his hand on her knee, before moving it to her groin. She recalled telling him: 'Get your hands off me or I'm going to tell my Dad.' She said he responded by telling her she was 'ugly anyways, nobody would believe you.' The woman said she believed that Gibney was 'testing the waters to see what he could get away with.' After this incident, she stopped going to early swim lessons so that she would not have to take a lift with him, before eventually quitting altogether. She told investigators that she informed her partner of the abuse in July 2021 after experiencing what she described as a mental breakdown, before subsequently seeking psychiatric help. A photograph of George Gibney, which was submitted as part of a passport application in 2019. Gibney taught the fourth complainant how to swim, and she described her view of him as 'hero worship'. She said he was aware that she was part of a big family and did not receive much attention at home. She alleged that he regularly offered her a lift home before he began assaulting her. This began with kissing and hugging before culminating in an attempted rape. She told investigators that Gibney sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions when she was between the ages of 8 and 12 years old. Where is George Gibney? Gibney appeared in court in Dublin in 1993 charged with 27 counts of indecency, after six swimmers came forward and accused him of abuse dating back to the 1960s. Their allegations are not part of the current case against him. However, Gibney successfully challenged his prosecution in the High Court in 1994. The court ruled that due to how old the allegations were, they could not be properly defended. The State did not appeal the ruling. Having taken a job in Scotland in 1994, where he coached at an Edinburgh swimming club, he eventually fled to the US in 1995 and has been there ever since. He resides in Altamonte Springs in Florida. In 2020, the BBC and Second Captains podcast titled 'Where is George Gibney?', which focused on survivors of his alleged abuse, was released. The podcast traced him to Florida, but when confronted by the producers, he refused to speak about the allegations against him. Following the release of the podcast, the four now-women came forward and told Gardaí that Gibney had abused them. The court documents make extensive references to the podcast and its role in the investigation into Gibney. A fresh criminal investigation was then launched. Ireland used an Interpol request to seek Gibney's cooperation with their investigation. In June 2021, a special agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement met and spoke with Gibney to seek a voluntary interview, but he refused to engage with An Garda Síochána and would not consent to the interview. In May 2023, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) directed that he should face 79 charges. Last October, the Irish embassy in Washington formally made a request to US authorities to arrest Gibney in order for him to be extradited to Ireland. He was arrested in Florida last Tuesday. Irish and US authorities had planned for the execution of the arrest for over a week. Flight risk Gibney appeared before Orlando District Court Judge Daniel Irick for 11 minutes before being remanded in custody. Documents submitted to the court last week, before Gibney agreed to be extradited to Ireland, state that the former swimming coach would be likely to flee if granted bail and should stay in custody pending his extradition. In a submission to the court requesting that Gibney be detained and denied bail, seen by The Journal, US attorney Gregory W Kehoe wrote: 'Gibney is a flight risk and a danger to the community. 'As an initial matter, Gibney is alleged to have sexually assaulted at least four minor girls, abusing his authority as their swimming coach, over a period of several years. The seriousness of the offenses for which Gibney is charged in Ireland heightens his risk of flight.' Kehoe wrote that Gibney's age and the amount of time in prison he ould face also adds to him being a flight risk. 'In relocating to the United States after the first set of allegations was dismissed, Gibney was able to evade the investigation of these allegations in Ireland. He wrote that allowance of bail in any amount 'would not guarantee the fugitive's presence in court and would invite the possibility of embarrassing the United States in the conduct of its foreign affairs'. 'Either Gibney's danger to the community or flight risk would be enough, standing alone, for the Court to deny any forthcoming application for bail.' Support is available: One in Four provides support for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse; you can call 01 662 4070 or email info@ An extensive list of support services, for people in Ireland and abroad, can be read here. Written by Jane Moore and posted on
