GAA takes strong line on sex offenders

THE GAA said yesterday that several members have been expelled from the organisation after being convicted of sex offences and “quite a number” suspended pending the outcome of judicial proceedings.

A Croke Park official also said the organisation had access, through special advisors such as clinical psychologists, to information about known sex offenders who may also be members.

The organisation would not reveal the exact number of offenders who have been thrown out after being convicted.

There have been a number of high-profile cases where GAA figures have been convicted of offences, most famously that of Michael Feeney, former secretary of the Ulster Council.

Although the GAA said the offences were not connected to his activities with the organisation, Feeney, from Monaghan, is understood to have been expelled on conviction.

In a more recent case, representatives from every Dublin club issued a barring order against a man convicted of assaulting a seven-year-old girl. The Dublin County Board made the decision at a meeting two weeks ago.

GAA spokesman Danny Lynch said the organisation was the first sporting body to introduce guidelines on dealing with members suspected or convicted of sex offences, and that they have been regularly updated since being drawn up six or seven years ago.

“A person who is a member and has been convicted of a child abuse offence against anybody under 18 is expelled from the association,” said Mr Lynch. All allegations are reported to the gardaí and the relevant health board authorities.

When an allegation is made, the member is debarred, or effectively suspended, as they are not allowed to take part in any GAA activity.

On the numbers expelled, Mr Lynch said: “I am not prepared to get into figures but in any case that has come up in that context, the necessary action has been taken.”

When pressed, the GAA official said “several” people have been expelled and “quite a number” debarred. Those expelled or debarred can appeal, he said. This is because there are “situations where the results are inconclusive or proved totally negative.”

Mr Lynch said the organisation has access, through specialist advisors, to a register of offenders, despite there being no central record.

On conviction or release from prison, it is up to offenders to register their address with and sign on at the nearest garda station. However, only health boards and adoption agencies can, without a person’s knowledge, ask gardaí to provide clearance certificates for named individuals.

In the case of other groups, such as schools, voluntary and sporting organisations, they can insist on a clearance certificate before a person joins as a volunteer or employee.