Long-time OCI officials set to be forced out

Pat Hickey, who has temporarily stepped aside as Olympic Council of Ireland president, and close allies who have held roles for at least eight years could be forced out under drastic reforms called for by an independent review of the group.

The move is included in the Deloitte report of corporate governance in the sporting organisation, which was presented to the OCI’s executive board on Thursday night and is now set for an emergency general meeting in the coming weeks.

While the report is yet to be published, it is understood it includes a series of criticisms about transparency issues in the OCI and concerns about how it functions and manages alleged conflicts of interest.

As such, it has called for reforms in the group’s corporate governance structures — including plans to limit any official’s control of a position in the OCI to two four-year terms.

Although the move will not be ratified until an emergency general meeting of the OCI, if it is acted on it could see a number of senior officials removed from their posts. These include:

• Pat Hickey, who has temporarily stepped aside as OCI president;
• Acting president Willie O’Brien;
• Honorary secretary Dermot Henihan;
• Executive board members Ciarán Ó Catháin and Tom Rafter.

The decision for a strict eight-year time limit on how long an individual holds a senior OCI post is understood to have caused significant debate during Thursday’s executive board meeting.

Mr Ó Cathain, Sonia O’Sullivan, Darren O’Neill, Sarah Keane, and Robert Norwood are believed to be strongly in favour of reforms.

The board this week lost two of its former members, with FAI chief executive and OCI vice president John Delaney and executive board member Kevin Kilty both stepping down. Neither decision was linked in any way with the Deloitte report.

OCI vice president John Delaney

The report is the first of three investigations into the OCI Olympics ticket controversy, which overshadowed many of Ireland’s sporting achievements this summer.

A second report sought by the OCI, conducted by Grant Thornton, is due next month and focuses on the exact issues surrounding the ticket-touting claims.

A third, independent non-statutory investigation by Government is expected to be concluded by Easter.

Meanwhile, lawyers for Mr Hickey in Brazil have claimed he may not live long enough to see his trial take place unless he is allowed to return home to Ireland.

Mr Hickey is unable to leave Brazil while investigations continue into claims he was involved in illegal ticket-touting, illegal marketing, and money laundering — allegations he strenuously denies.

Lawyers for Mr Hickey said he needs an operation for serious heart problems. However, they did not explain why he would not be able to receive the treatment in Brazil or why he travelled to Rio de Janeiro just 10 weeks ago if his health was of such concern.