Boxing coach in Munster stood down after claim of sexual misconduct with young female

The Irish Athletic Boxing Association launched an investigation in February which is ongoing while gardaí have also been made aware of the complaint and are conducting a separate inquiry

It is believed the complaint alleges the coach behaved inappropriately several times towards the boxer when she was a minor. File picture: David Maher / SPORTSFILE

A boxing coach in the south of the country has been stood down after he was accused of sexual misconduct in relation to a young female athlete, the Irish Examiner has learned.

The man was stood down by his local boxing organisation last month after a formal complaint was made to the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA), the national governing body for amateur boxing.

Boxing officials in the south of the country confirmed there is an investigation taking place but said there would be no further comment. It is believed the complaint alleges the coach behaved inappropriately several times towards the boxer when she was a minor.

The alleged behaviour is said to have happened a number of years ago. However, the young woman has only come forward in recent months.

A formal complaint was made through a third party and brought to the IABA who immediately launched an investigation in February which is ongoing.

In a statement the IABA said: “IABA cannot comment on any individual matters. As a matter of course, the IABA operates a robust safeguarding protocol which, in instances where complaints are made, includes investigation, standing down of individuals if applicable, and referral to Tusla and/or gardai, if applicable.” 

It is understood that the trainer, who has been involved in boxing in Munster for many years, has denied all the allegations. The Irish Examiner can confirm that gardaí have also been made aware of the complaint and are conducting a separate inquiry.

In a statement, a gardaí spokesperson said: “Gardaí are assessing a complaint of an alleged incident that was reported in February 2025. Enquiries into the matter are ongoing.” 

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is also involved in the investigation but said it cannot comment on individual cases "in order to protect the privacy of the children and families we work with".

It said: “All referrals received by Tusla are screened and assessed in line with Children First, as appropriate. Where a child is at immediate risk, they will receive an immediate protective response.

“Organisations who are providing services to children have a statutory responsibility under the Children First Act 2015 to keep children safe from harm while availing of those services, carry out a risk assessment, prepare and publish a Child Safeguarding Statement and to refer any concern regarding a child to Tusla.” 

The Sports Council of Ireland said funded bodies are independent, autonomous organisations responsible for their own internal governance.

“If there is a criminal aspect to complaints or allegations it should be reported to An Garda Síochána. The statutory authorities which promote the welfare and protection of children and which in cases of alleged abuse of children have the responsibility to investigate all such allegations are An Garda Síochána and Tusla.

“If reasonable grounds for concern (as per the Children First Act 2015) have been reached and an investigation is conducted by the statutory authorities - best practice is to stand down any individual, pending the outcome of that investigation," Sport Ireland said.

The allegation comes just two months after the former president of the IABA Gerry O’Mahony was jailed for four years for sexual assault of a teenager between 2009 and 2010.