George Gibney: Gardaí confident of extraditing swim coach if DPP brings new charges

Former swimming coach George Gibney photographed in 1988. Picture: Billy Stickland/Inpho

Gardaí are aware of shamed swimming coach George Gibney’s location in the US and are confident they will secure an extradition order if the Director of Public Prosecutions agrees to bring new changes against him, the Irish Examiner has learned.

On Wednesday, it emerged that investigating officers sent a new file to the DPP, seeking to bring more than 50 new charges against him in relation to historical sex abuse claims.

A number of new victims are believed to have come forward after his predatory behaviour was highlighted in the BBC podcast, 'Where is George Gibney?'.

The broadcast in 2020 resulted in gardaí launching a new investigation.

George Gibney was charged in April 1993 with 27 counts of indecency and carnal knowledge of girls under the age of 15.

However, he secured an injunction in the High Court the following year preventing the DPP from prosecuting him.

He left the country and moved to Scotland where he continued to train young swimmers before eventually moving to the US where has he has been for almost 30 years.

Another investigation by gardaí got underway in 1997 but did not result in a prosecution.

Gardaí now believe that if fresh charges are brought against him his extradition would be relatively routine and they are aware of his current location.