Former GAA coach loses challenge over sexual abuse risk finding

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The High Court refused to allow a former GAA coach to challenge a Child and Family Agency finding that he was a risk to children. The proceedings were reported on 15 February 2016. The finding followed an allegation that he sexually abused a girl between 1979 and 1989. No prosecution was brought arising out of that complaint.

Mr Justice Richard Humphreys refused leave for the proposed proceedings because the coach had not provided the required sworn statement. The judge considered the solicitor’s statement hearsay in essential respects and said the claim of denied natural justice had to be made by the applicant himself.

The coach denied the allegation and had appealed the CFA finding, but that appeal had not been heard. He had voluntarily agreed to stop coaching youngsters while the matter continued.