Just 529 vetting applications in two years

SPORTING organisations submitted just 529 applications for vetting to the gardaí in the last two years, despite the many thousands of employees and volunteers working in the area.

Children’s charities expressed outrage last night as it emerged that major sporting organisations working with children, including the GAA and the IRFU, did not have one person vetted by gardaí in that period.

Just three sporting organisations had background checks submitted to the revamped Garda Central Vetting Unit since its remit was extended, in April 2006, to cover volunteer groups.