George Gibney due in court after returning to Ireland from the US
Former Irish swimming coach George Gibney in 1988. File picture: INPHO / Billy Stickland
Former Irish Olympic swimming team coach George Gibney has been arrested and is due in court Tuesday morning following his extradition from the US.
Mr Gibney, 77 arrived at Dublin Airport in the early hours of the morning, accompanied by gardaí, and was taken to a Dublin garda station.
He is due before the Criminal Court of Justice after 10.30am charged with 78 counts of alleged indecent assault and one count of alleged attempted rape, involving four minor females, aged between eight and 15 at the time of the alleged offences.
Gardaí were in Florida on Monday to begin the process of bringing the 77-year-old back to face the charges, after he consented to be extradited from the US to Ireland earlier this month.
US Magistrate Judge Daniel Irick made the order at a hearing in Florida earlier this month.
The decision followed Mr Gibney’s agreement to be extradited to stand trial in Ireland.
Court documents state that Mr Gibney is sought by the Irish Government, which filed charges and obtained a warrant for his arrest.
Mr Gibney, who had charges dismissed in the 1990s, has lived in the US since 1995.
His arrest came after the 2020 BBC/Second Captains podcast Where Is George Gibney highlighted allegations of abuse against Gibney and prompted new complainants to come forward.
Mr 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.
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