Joanna Byrne removed as Drogheda United director, club say

The Louth TD last month said the board considered her position was untenable.

Then Drogheda United co-chairperson Joanna Byrne celebrates with the FAI Cup. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

The Trivela Group, owners of LEague of Ireland Premier Division side Drogheda United, say that Joanna Byrne has been removed from her role as co-chairperson at the club.

Last month, Byrne -- a Sinn Féin TD for Louth, claimed that the board had said her position was untenable following her calls for a boycott of the Republic of Ireland’s Nations League games with Israel.

"Trivela Group can confirm that, pursuant to its authority as sole shareholder of Drogheda United FC, Joanna Byrne has been removed by Trivela Group as a director of the club," a statement reads.

"At this time, the board of directors consists of Benjamin Boycott, Marc Koretzky, Barton Lee, and club CEO Rian Wogan. Mr Boycott for the time being, will serve as the sole chairperson, and the club will look to appoint a local director and co-chair in due course.

"Once again, we thank Ms Byrne for her longstanding and ongoing dedication to the club and its success."

Deputy Byrne has today written to Drogheda United fans saying: “I am deeply committed to Drogheda United and want to see it flourish. I will continue to elevate it, and the League of Ireland more broadly, at every opportunity. 

“Drogheda United has been the longest love of my life. I’m proud of our history and tradition, and exceptionally proud that we are the first League of Ireland club to ever have appointed a female chairperson.” 

She continued: “The past few weeks have been a difficult time for me personally, but I have carried myself with integrity at all times in recent weeks, for the good of the club.

“On February 12th, following the UEFA Nations League draw, I released a written statement, in my capacity as the Sinn Féin spokesperson on sport, which never mentioned Drogheda United in any form.

“The underlying issue here is, as I’ve stated from the beginning, my strong stance that Ireland should not play Israel in the UEFA Nations League while a genocide against the Palestinian people continues.”