The former Irish national swimming coach George Gibney has been arrested in the United States. Mr Gibney is wanted in the Republic of Ireland to face more than 50 historical sexual abuse charges. He left Ireland more than 30 years ago and has not been back since. He was arrested in Florida on Tuesday afternoon by US Marshals on foot of an Irish extradition warrant, according to Irish broadcasterRTÉ. He is being detained pending a court appearance in the US. He can decide whether to accede or contest his extradition. In a statement to BBC News NI, An Garda Síochána (Irish police) said it is "aware of the arrest of a male aged in his 70s in the United States on foot of an Irish international arrest warrant". "As this is currently a matter for the US authorities, An Garda Síochána will not be commenting further at this time." RTÉ is reporting that gardaí reopened an investigation into Mr Gibney after a number of people made allegations against him on the BBC podcast Where is George Gibney five years ago. The criminal investigation was commenced in 2020 by a specialist team within the Garda National Protective Services Bureau. A file was sent to the Director for Public Prosecutions (DPP) three years later. The DPP examined the file and recommended that Mr Gibney be charged with more than 50 alleged offences. RTÉ also reported that An Garda Síochána secured an extradition warrant in the High Court seeking Mr Gibney's extradition. Gardaí have been working with US authorities for more than six months. Mr Gibney was a coach at Trojan swimming club in Dublin. He was also a former Irish national swimming coach.
Former Irish swimming coach George Gibney arrested in US
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Former Irish Swimming Coach George Gibney Arrested in Florida on Extradition Warrant"
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TruthLens AI Summary
George Gibney, the former Irish national swimming coach, has been arrested in Florida, USA, following an Irish extradition warrant related to over 50 historical sexual abuse charges. Gibney, who has been living in the United States for more than 30 years, was apprehended by US Marshals on Tuesday afternoon. The arrest comes after renewed investigations by An Garda Síochána, the Irish police force, which began in 2020 after multiple allegations were brought to light through the BBC podcast 'Where is George Gibney'. The case has garnered significant attention and led to a detailed criminal investigation by a specialized team within the Garda National Protective Services Bureau. After a thorough review, the Director for Public Prosecutions (DPP) recommended that charges be filed against Gibney for the alleged offenses, which has culminated in the current extradition efforts.
The extradition process is now underway, with Gibney currently detained in the US as he faces the decision to either contest or agree to the extradition. An Garda Síochána has confirmed awareness of the arrest but noted that further comments would be withheld as the matter is under the jurisdiction of US authorities. The arrest marks a significant development in a long-standing case that has remained unresolved since Gibney fled Ireland decades ago. His former position as a coach at the Trojan swimming club in Dublin and his role as a national swimming coach add complexity to the public's perception of the case, as it highlights the serious allegations against a figure once respected in the sports community. As the legal proceedings continue, the focus will remain on the implications for both the victims seeking justice and the broader conversation surrounding historical abuse in sports.
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