No role for OCI in future planning of Olympic homecomings

The Olympic Council of Ireland has said it will have no official role in the planning of any future public event to honour Ireland's Olympic athletes.

It had been thought there would be an official homecoming ceremony in Dublin on Monday evening - this was subsequently cancelled, however.

It was originally thought there would be an official civic ceremony in Dublin city, similar to those held for football and rugby teams.

However Dublin City Council and the Olympic Council of Ireland could not reach an agreement on funding the ceremony, and after consultation with the athletes, it was decided they would like to spend private time with their families instead.

Team Ireland will arrive at Dublin Airport on Monday afternoon, where there will be a reception strictly for athlete's families and the media.

A number of local events have also been planned to honour Ireland's medal winners.

Gold medal winner Katie Taylor will be honoured in her home town of Bray on Monday evening, while similar events are being planned to welcome home boxers John Joe Nevin to Mullingar and Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan to Belfast.

Show jumper Cian O'Connor's bronze medal win will be honoured at the Dublin Horse Show next week.

The Government is planning to hold a reception for the athletes in the next two weeks at Farmleigh House in Dublin.

It is understood that the Government is also considering holding a public event at some point in the future.