No threat to rugby supporters’ travel plans, says club tour operator

A LIMERICK woman facing allegations of operating illegal rugby tours has sought to reassure Munster fans that there is no threat to their plans to travel to Italy next week.

About 200 supporters of the so-called “Munster Sporting Club” are due to fly out on January 23 on a charter plane organised by businesswoman Pamela Hickey for the European Cup match against Treviso.

However, the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) issued a warning earlier this week that people acting as travel agents or tour operators without authorisation were likely to face criminal prosecution.

CAR became aware that Ms Hickey had organised similar travel packages for Munster supporters to other away games in Gloucester and Bourgoin following complaints from travel agents in the province.

A commission spokesperson said that neither Ms Hickey nor the Munster Sporting Club held a valid licence to operate such trips.

Under the Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act 1982, anyone convicted of not having a proper licence to conduct such business can face a maximum imprisonment term of seven years and/or a fine of up to €127,000.

In a statement issued yesterday on behalf of the Munster Sporting Club, Ms Hickey confirmed that an application for a tour operator’s licence was being submitted to the commission this week.

She claimed the application had been delayed over Christmas by the club’s inability to get vital documents from solicitors and accountants during the holiday period.

“As the application is very extensive, the club wanted to make sure it was filled out correctly and contained all information required,” said Ms Hickey.

She said the MSC was established as a non-profit organisation for private members who wanted to obtain cheaper travel packages than those operated by licensed travel agents.

Ms Hickey maintained she was only an employee of the MSC, which she claimed was a registered company, although the Companies Registration Office has no record of any such firm. She also declined to identify anybody who acts as a director of the MSC.

However, Ms Hickey said all MSC members due to travel for the match in Treviso had been contacted and reassured that there were no alterations to the planned flight arrangements.

Most fans have paid about €300 for the trip.