Former Olympic swimming coach George Gibney arrested in US

Former Irish swimming coach George Gibney. File Picture: INPHO

Former Olympic swimming coach George Gibney has been arrested in the US on foot of an Irish extradition warrant, it is understood.

US Marshals arrested Mr Gibney, 70s, in Florida on Tuesday afternoon. He is being detained pending a court appearance.

The arrest comes after the 2020 BBC Second Captains podcast Where Is George Gibney highlighted allegations of abuse against Gibney and prompted new complainants to come forward.

“An Garda Síochána is aware of the arrest of a male aged in his 70s in the United States on foot of an Irish international arrest warrant,” a garda spokesperson said in a statement.

“As this is currently a matter for the US authorities, An Garda Síochána will not be commenting further at this time.”

Gibney was the founder of the Trojan Swimming Club in Blackrock in Dublin, where he also worked as a swimming coach. 

He also worked as a swimming coach with the Irish national team until 1991.

In 1993, he was charged with 27 counts of indecency and having carnal knowledge of girls under the age of 15.

The following year, a judicial review prevented the case from proceeding due to the length of time that had elapsed since the alleged incidents took place.

In 1997, after fresh allegations were made against him, a garda investigation into Gibney was opened. That investigation did not result in a prosecution.

George Gibney has lived in the US since 1995.

In the wake of the broadcast of the  Where is George Gibney podcast series, which examined in depth the abuse allegations that surrounded Mr Gibney, gardaí commenced a new investigation. After an appeal, a number of alleged victims came forward.

In November 2023, gardaí confirmed that a file on the matter had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The US Marshals Service has been contacted for comment.