Hickey family to meet minister over Rio ordeal

The family of OCI president Pat Hickey is to meet Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan this week amid growing concerns over his “degrading and humiliating” ordeal in Brazil.

The 71-year-old was arrested at a hotel last week and Rio police said he has been formally accused under Brazilian law of ticket touting, running a cartel and illicit marketing.

This is a stage in the legal process that is not equivalent to being charged in Irish law, but is a preliminary step in that direction. Mr Hickey has always denied any wrongdoing.