Boxing champion O'Reilly defends missing training to repair van

The High Court has been told youth boxing champion Michael O'Reilly put the repair of his own van above training for the European Championships.

Lawyers for the Irish Amateur Boxing Association are defending the decision to omit the 18-year-old from the panel for the Irish team.

The reigning Irish welterweight champion was dropped when he failed to show for an afternoon training session at the National Stadium two weeks ago.

Michael O'Reilly missed training because he went to get his van fixed in Portlaoise after a minor accident which arose when he let a 17-year-old junior boxer without insurance or a license park the vehicle.

His actions were not those of a man performing for the team according to lawyers for the Irish Amateur Boxing Association.

The coach's selection decision has yet to be ratified by the sport's Central Council which meets tomorrow.

Michael O'Reilly is challenging his omission which he believes might jeopardise his €5,000 sports grant and his chance of competing in next year's Olympics.

The judge is expected to rule on the case later today.