FAI to attend committee over knowledge of abuse claims
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
25 minutes ago
- The Journal
Philip Dwyer loses appeal against trespass conviction at direct provision centre
CAMPAIGNER PHILIP DWYER trespassed at a direct provision centre for International Protection (IP) applicants at Inch in Co Clare where residents were being besieged by protesters outside the property, a court has heard. At Ennis Circuit Court this evening, Judge Francis Comerford upheld the trespass conviction imposed on Dwyer, an anti-immigrant activist, at Magowna House on 18 May 2023. Described in court by his counsel Anne Doyle BL as a 'Citizen Journalist', Dwyer (56) of Tallaght Cross West, Tallaght, Dublin 24 was appealing the district court trespass conviction imposed in March and Judge Comerford also affirmed the district court fine of €500. Dwyer told the court that he was at Magowna House to ask questions in his role as a journalist. Judge Comerford said that Dwyer 'might be entitled to make enquiries and go to someone's door, but he went well beyond it here'. At the time, there were protests at Magowna House where 29 International Protection applicants were being accommodated and there were blockades on local roads which were attracting media attention. Judge Comerford said that a group of people here came to seek refuge 'and were brought by the State to a relatively isolated, rural location where they were alone and away from a lot of resources and facilities'. 'And in effect, they were besieged in the premises they were brought to,' the judge said. 'It was made absolutely clear to them that they weren't welcome and there were protesters outside the property and there were bales of hay blocking access to prevent others joining them.' He said that there were 30 or 40 protesters protesting against their presence. Judge Comerford said that the big difference between Dwyer and protesters outside was that he went inside the property, where the other protesters didn't. Advertisement Judge Comerford said that he accepted the evidence of the Manager of Magowna House at the time, Ahlam Salman who said that Dwyer's presence on the property made her feel 'afraid'. Video footage made by Dwyer was played to the court, where he can be heard saying that he had arrived at a 'people trafficking centre'. In the footage shown in court, Dwyer can be heard saying, 'these are all foreign people telling me what I can't do in my own country'. Dwyer can be seen addressing a Ukrainian man wearing a fluorescent jacket: 'Do you think Irish people are stupid? Do you think we are all idiots? I wouldn't blame you, to be honest with you.' He asks later: 'What is your problem? You are not in Ukraine, this is my country…What are you hiding? I am just asking questions on behalf of the people of Ireland. The people in this country are very concerned about this.' After seeing some men believed to be International Protection applicants staying at the centre, Mr Dwyer asks: 'Why are these people covering their faces….This is Ireland. This is my country.' Counsel for the State Sarah Jane Comerford BL (instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey) said to Dwyer that his words 'had a menacing undertone' to the people to whom he spoke on the property. In response, Dwyer said: 'I wasn't menacing to anybody.' He said: 'I 100% stand over those comments. We all have to respect one another. I tried to be respectful when I went in there.' He said: 'I was treated very badly. I was treated with hostility… I felt quite intimidated as well. That is part of the job.' He went on to tell the court: 'I have thousands of viewers, sometimes hundreds of thousands.' Counsel for Dwyer, Anne Doyle BL, said that she was not instructed by her client not to enter any mitigation concerning penalty 'as my client stands by his actions', Doyle said that 'he maintains that he was working in the course of his duties and does not accept the verdict'.
The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
Trump to push Wednesday tariff deadline out to 1 August
US PRESIDENT DONALD Trump will push back the deadline for the imposition of higher tariffs to 1 August, the White House has said. The deadline for countries to make deals before steeper tariffs kick in had been set for this Wednesday, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters this evening that Trump would be signing an executive order to delay it. The delay is the latest last-minute shift in Trump's trade policy, which has seen the US impose sweeping tariffs with on imports from around the world. Trump originally announced sweeping tariffs on world economies on what he called 'Liberation Day' on 2 April, claiming the United States was being 'ripped off.' When his policies created market turmoil, Trump then suspended the initial tariffs for 90 days, a deadline that was due to expire on Wednesday. Negotiations with states around the world are ongoing. Earlier today, Trump had hinted at the deadline extension when he sent nearly identical letters to Japan and South Korea informing them that 25% tariffs would come into effect on 1 August, rather than this Wednesday. Trump said the tariffs would be imposed on the two countries because their trading relationships with Washington were 'unfortunately, far from Reciprocal.' The Trump administration had promised to make 90 trade deals in the space of 90 days. Advertisement So far though, Washington has unveiled deals with only the UK and Vietnam, while also agreeing with China to temporarily lower tariff levels on each other's products that had gone well over 100%. Today, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was 'hopeful' that the EU and US could reach a deal on trade following an update from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris said that he had also been briefed on the EU-US negotiations. In a statement this evening that showed the uncertainty caused by the inconsistent position of the US, Harris said while he had been briefed ahead of the expected Wednesday deadline, 'My understanding is that we can now expect an extension of the current status quo until 1 August'. Harris stressed that tariffs at even low levels would be 'bad for consumers, jobs, economic growth and investment'. 'The uncertainty is also bad for economic confidence and Irish businesses seeking clarity on the trading environment in which they operate. 'We have consistently called for zero-for-zero tariffs in as many areas as possible and I know the EU has advocated this course of action. He said that 'uncertainty continues' around many areas of US-EU trade, including the pharmaceutical sector. 'This is obviously an area of significant concern to Ireland,' he said. With reporting from AFP 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
Irish Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Reading boss Noel Hunt signs Ireland underage striker on loan from Brighton
Former Ireland striker Noel Hunt has added highly-rated Boys in Green prospect Mark O'Mahony to his Reading squad ahead of next season's push for promotion to the Championship. O'Mahony has joined on a season-long loan deal from Premier League side Brighton. The 19-year-old spent last season at Portsmouth and scored three goals in 13 appearances, while he has one goal in four outings for the Seagulls. Hunt, a former Ireland international, took charge of Reading last December after Ruben Selles' departure to Hull City. He said: 'Mark is a young hungry striker who wants to come in and develop at our club. He's young and he wants to learn his trade after having a successful loan deal last year at Portsmouth in the Championship. 'He learnt plenty whilst playing at that level, which will stand him in good stead for the upcoming season. He's another player who has come through a really strong Academy, and will be a great addition to our squad.' O'Mahony moved to Brighton after impressing at Cork City, where he made 12 first-team appearances in the 2022 campaign, including 11 in their First Division title-winning campaign. The former Carrigaline schoolboy star has capped 11 times for Ireland at Under-21 level, and has been named FAI Under-17 (2021) and Under-19 (2023) Player of the Year.
