Gardaí investigating alleged match-fixing in League of Ireland arrest man in south of country

The operation stems from an investigation opened at the Anti-Bribery and Corruption Unit in 2019 following reports of suspected match-fixing received from the FAI and UEFA. File picture

Specialist anti-corruption officers have carried out a fresh arrest in relation to a long-running investigation into alleged League of Ireland match-fixing involving a Limerick club.

The latest arrest — of a male in his 20s — was carried out this morning by detectives attached to the Anti-Bribery and Corruption Unit of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB).

Local garda units from the Southern Region also assisted in the arrest operation.

This morning's arrest comes as the four-year investigation is nearing a conclusion, with a file expected to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions soon.

Well known footballers in Limerick, and officials, have been among the 15 arrests conducted under the operation, codenamed Brookweed.

On Tuesday, a Garda spokesperson said: "The man, aged in his 20s, has been arrested for the offence of Conspiracy to Defraud and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda station in the Southern Region."

The latest arrest brings the total number of people arrested as part of Operation Brookweed to 15.

The operation stems from an investigation opened at the Anti-Bribery and Corruption Unit in 2019 following reports of suspected match-fixing received from the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). 

The Garda spokesperson said that "ongoing assistance continues to be provided by INTERPOL officers".

Speaking today, GNECB Detective Superintendent Catharina Gunne said: "Match-fixing and corruption is a threat to all sports at all levels and undermines public confidence in the fairness of sport. It can allow organised crime to infiltrate sport in order to use it to make illicit gains or launder proceeds of crime.

"The Anti-Bribery & Corruption Unit will take proactive action where necessary to disrupt such criminality. Match-fixers prey on young and vulnerable players in order to corrupt them for their ends. A conviction for involvement in match-fixing could result in a significant custodial sentence.” 

Gardaí continue to appeal to anyon who may have information in relation to match-fixing or sports corruption to report the matter in confidence to the Bribery and Corruption Confidential Reporting line on 1800 40 60 80 the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or to their local garda station.