Olympic ticket scandal inquiry could exceed 12-week deadline

The Government’s Olympics ticket touting scandal inquiry may be extended past its 12-week deadline if the scale of information uncovered makes the current schedule unworkable.

Sports Minister Shane Ross and his junior minister Patrick O’Donovan confirmed the situation at the launch of the vital investigation’s terms of reference, which will allow the inquiry to stretch back to at least the London 2012 Olympics.

Speaking as two Olympic Council of Ireland officials prepare to speak with Rio police today, as pressure continued to mount on FAI chief John Delaney to break his silence on the issue and as THG refused to comment on emails between its owner and OCI president Pat Hickey, the ministers said they want the inquiry to conclude within three months.