Transparency key to sports funding says minister

Sports Minister Patrick O’Donovan has vowed to impose strict new transparency rules on sporting bodies receiving State funds in response to the Rio Olympics controversy unless full clarity on how money is spent is provided.

The Fine Gael minister increased the pressure on the Olympic Council of Ireland and other organisations as it emerged THG director Kevin James Mallon will appear in a Rio court within two weeks over a multi-million euro ticket scandal and further questions were raised over the involvement of Pat Hickey.

Speaking before returning to Brazil for the start of the Paralympic Games on Wednesday, Mr O’Donovan stressed that “the cost of receiving public money is 100% probity and 100% compliance”.