Rory Gallagher resigned as Derry senior football manager over ex-wife’s domestic abuse allegations
But the GAA has refused to reveal any details of its findings – or comment on whether or not Gallagher remains “debarred” from the organisation.
In May of this year, Gallagher’s estranged wife, Nicola, made a number of allegations against her husband.
She alleged she had suffered domestic abuse over a period of 24 years.
Following his wife’s comments in a Facebook post, Rory Gallagher said the allegations had been investigated and dealt with by the relevant authorities.
The PSNI said it investigated two separate alleged incidents and issued files to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) last year.
The PPS said it had determined there was insufficient evidence to proceed.
Gallagher stepped down from his role as Derry manager just days after the allegations were made by his estranged wife on Facebook.
The Fermanagh man had previously managed the football teams of his home county and Donegal.
Ms Gallagher claimed senior figures within the GAA had been aware of the domestic abuse allegations against her husband before she went public with them.
In August, Ulster GAA said they had asked an independent safeguarding panel to investigate the claims made by Ms Gallagher.
Last month, the Sunday World newspaper reporterd Rory Gallagher had returned to the GAA through his involvement with the Corduff GAA team in County Monaghan.
Following the story, Ulster GAA said Gallagher had been “temporarily debarred” from the GAA until the safeguarding panel concluded their work.
Ulster GAA yesterday confirmed the panel had completed its investigation.
A spokesperson said Ulster GAA had commissioned the panel to “examine our response to adult safeguarding practice, particularly when concerns are raised with us in relation to domestic violence and abuse”.
“We welcome the McGibbon Safeguarding Review Report that has now been issued to us,” the spokesperson said.
“We wish to formally recognise the work of the panel, and those who contributed to it, and we will continue to liaise with those parties as we go forward.
“We will take time to consider the findings of the report and we are committed to implementing the recommendations and taking forward the key learnings from it.
“We reaffirm our commitment to the principles of our White Ribbon Pledge and we recognise the value of undertaking this work to strengthen our safeguarding practices and ensuring that all allegations of domestic violence and abuse are responded to in an appropriate way.”U
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