‘Stunned’ Shane Ross demands IOC intervention

Sports Minister Shane Ross has called on senior International Olympic Committee members to intervene in Ireland’s black market ticket scandal after hitting a “brick wall” in his attempts to get answers from officials in this country.

Mr Ross made the request during a detailed Rio meeting with IOC director general Christophe de Kepper after he was left “absolutely stunned” by the lack of accountability from Olympic Council of Ireland president Pat Hickey over the affair.

A week after Ireland’s Olympic Games became embroiled in a growing controversy over the alleged ticketing touting, Mr Ross flew to Brazil at the weekend to get answers from Mr Hickey.