Inquiry to probe Olympic Games ticket scandal

The Government has launched a three-month non-statutory inquiry to uncover the full scale of Ireland’s Olympic ticket touting scandal — despite concerns that any investigation will be hamstrung by ongoing Brazilian legal cases.

Sports Minister Shane Ross and junior minister Patrick O’Donovan confirmed the move in a press conference yesterday as the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) cancelled its own internal investigation into the affair.

Under plans backed by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Attorney General Máire Whelan, the Government will launch an inquiry into the controversy which has overshadowed Ireland’s 2016 Olympic Games campaign. It will appoint a senior retired judge next week to lead a 12-week investigation.