The controversy over allegations of domestic abuse involving Derry GAA manager Rory Gallagher has raised fears that the culture in the GAA has become "toxic".
Former Derry ladies footballer Nodlaig Ni Bhrollaigh made the comment after it emerged that the GAA in Derry were aware of the worrying allegations made by Mr Gallagher's estranged wife last year but failed to act.
Nicola Gallagher broke her silence last week claiming in a Facebook post that she was the victim of physical abuse for more than two decades.
Mr Gallagher stepped aside as Derry manager ahead of Sunday's Ulster Final between the Oakleaf County and Armagh.
“This decision is borne out of a desire to protect my children from the ongoing turmoil," he claimed.
"They will always be my priority.”
The Public Prosecution Services received two investigation files from the PSNI in January and June 2022 and it was determined there was not enough evidence to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction in relation to any individual.
Pressure is continuing to mount on GAA authorities after it was reported that Nicola's father, Gerry Rooney, made claims against Mr Gallagher in an email to the management of Derry GAA last May.
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He did not receive a reply.
Ms Ni Bhrollaigh is from a prominent Derry GAA family.
Her father Francie Brolly, a former Sinn Féin assembly member who died in 2020, was an inter-county Gaelic footballer with Derry.
Her brother Joe Brolly won an All-Ireland title with the county in 1993.
Ms Ni Bhrollaigh, who also played ladies football for Derry, has been prominent in highlighting the GAAs controversial no cash policy at its grounds, which she says hindered access for the elderly and victims of coercive control.
The campaigner said she wrote to the GAA in Derry, Ulster and Croke Park earlier this year expressing her concerns about ticketing but has received no response to date "or any real engagement or debate".
The barrister, who worked for several years on the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse in Industrial and Reformatory Schools in the Republic, is scathing of the GAA's approach to the current controversy.
"I fear the culture in the GAA has become toxic and this is reflective of it," she said.
"There's no transparency or accountability or real engagement with communities."
The Dungiven native believes the association is not open to approach from those with concerns.
"I would be fearful that people with genuine concerns are going to hit this wall of silence."
"When an organisation puts a wall of silence around them there that's when the rot sets in."
"You can't see behind the wall, you can't see what's going on, the same way with domestic violence, when there's a shroud of secrecy."
Ms Ni Bhrollaigh, who has dealt with domestic abuse cases in her professional life, believes "it's better when issues are brought into the light, not just for the victims, but also for the perpetrators".
She believes the administrators of Gaelic games must take urgent stock of their approach.
"The GAA needs to refocus on the ethos and core values and then they need to make sure all of their systems and policies are aligned with their ethos and core values," she said.
"If they are serious about inclusion they should ensure everyone has access to their games.
"If they are serious about domestic violence they should ensure all their systems and practices essentially address any concerns at the earliest opportunity."
Ms Ni Bhrollaigh has concerns about her Derry's handling of the affair.
"My issue with Derry GAA is that they knew from last May, that's the earliest opportunity they had to investigate this."
"They talk about respect in the GAA.
"What about the respect for her (Nicola's) father, who took the time to write what must have been a difficult email."
"I think the GAA has lost sight of their core values and what they say is very different from what they do."
Ms Ni Bhrollaigh said she has found the controversy difficult.
"I have always had a great love for the GAA and it really pains me to see the way the organisation is going and if ever there was a time to stand back and see where we are going it is now.
"The GAA is at the heart of communities, we need the GAA to have a culture and ethos that is safe, healthy and positive for our young people."
It has been reported that Fermanagh GAA was also contacted by Nicola Gallagher's family.
"If the GAA are serious about domestic violence they need to answer two questions," Ms Ni Bhrollaigh said.
"Did Fermanagh have any cause for concern and if so what did they do in relation to it?
"When Derry GAA received the email, what action, if any, did they take?
"People in situations of coercive control need to have confidence that if the come forward, their complaint will be taken seriously.
"It is unimaginably difficult for people in this situation to break the silence and we need everything we can to encourage them to do so, for everyone’s sake."
