Irish Amateur Boxing Association comes out fighting

The Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) has accused Sport Ireland of a “scurrilous, disingenuous and highly questionable” attack on Irish boxing in the wake of Billy Walsh’s departure.

After days of silence, the IABA said it was “shocked” over the departure and insisted it had done everything “within reason” to retain his services.

It also accused Sport Ireland of going beyond its legal statutory remit to mount a campaign to exercise control over the High Performance Unit.

“This, we believe, is yet another clear example of Sport Ireland’s officials seeking to go beyond their authority and its statutory mandate and act Ultra Vires their statutory power or remit.

“The agency has a track record and form in this regard and has paid dearly for it in the past,” said the statement.

The IABA said it rejected “the unsubstantiated inferences by Sport Ireland that the IABA is not governed effectively” and called on Sport Ireland chairman Kieran Mulvey and CEO John Treacy to withdraw “the derogatory comments and unsubstantiated allegation made by them against our CEO”.

Earlier this week, Mr Treacy said Sport Ireland was planning a corporate governance review of the IABA, while Mr Mulvey labelled the IABA’s apparent attempt to limit Mr Walsh’s contact with Sport Ireland, the Olympic Council of Ireland, and the media as “unconscionable”.

The IABA hinted that it would take legal action, if necessary, to defend its reputation as both it and Sport Ireland prepare to appear before the Oireachtas transport committee next Wednesday. “We will vigorously defend the disgraceful allegations made by Sport Ireland, both directly in our future interactions with the agency, and reserve the right to take whatever further action we deem appropriate.”

The IABA also said news of Mr Walsh’s resignation came as a shock and also took issue with reports that it had nothing to do with money.

“It is important to point out that in all of our dealings with Billy during this process, the vast majority of the discussions related to remuneration matters. To suggest otherwise, is a total misrepresentation of the facts.”

In a statement, Sport Ireland said it noted the IABA comments and that the Oireachtas committee meeting next Wednesday was the appropriate forum to provide a statement on the matter.

“Unfortunately there was very little new information contained within it and it remains unclear what transpired in the weeks before Billy Walsh’s resignation... On October 21 Sport Ireland wrote to the IABA seeking answers to certain specific and relevant questions. It would be very useful if those responses were provided in advance of the Oireachtas Committee meeting,” the statement said.