The Brazilian runner obstructed by a rebel Kerry priest in the Olympic marathon said he would “love” to come to Ireland and “hug” his family.

The controversial Irish ex-priest who leapt on the race leader in the Olympic men’s marathon said today he still hopes to travel to Brazil to apologise to the runner after his plans were scuppered by a judge.

The Olympic Council of Ireland is reportedly considering inviting Brazil’s Vanderlei de Lima to act as an honorary marshal at the Dublin City Marathon this October.

ALL-IRELAND winning captain Jimmy Deenihan has called for the creation of an Irish Institute of Sport based on the world renowned Australian model.

ECCENTRIC priest Fr Neil Horan refused to apologise for disrupting the Olympic marathon but promised he would not give a repeat performance.

The defrocked Irish priest who sabotaged the Olympic Marathon vowed today that his illegal stunt days are over.

Fine Gael has called on Irish Olympic chiefs to honour Brazilian marathon runner Vanderlei de Lima at a special ceremony in Croke Park on All Ireland Final Day.

Relatives of the former Irish priest who disrupted the Olympic marathon in Athens yesterday have said they were hurt and upset by his actions.

A 57-year-old former Irish priest remains in police custody in Greece today after disrupting the men’s marathon at the Olympic Games in Athens yesterday.

Gold medal winner Cian O’Connor leads the homecoming today for a 39-strong Irish Olympic team.

A total of 10,500 athletes took part in the most expensive, most security-conscious Olympic Games in history.

Brazilian Vanderlei de Lima was tonight involved in the first high-profile security breach of the Olympic Games as a spectator watching the men’s marathon accosted the long-time race leader.