Northern Ireland

Boxer Wallace drops high court action

Boxer Conor Wallace
Boxer Conor Wallace Boxer Conor Wallace

A champion boxer has ended his High Court bid to be reinstated to Northern Ireland's Commonwealth Games team.

Conor Wallace's lawyers said he faced an "insurmountable" hurdle because the deadline for registration has now passed.

It was also claimed that he had been dropped after somebody "buckled under pressure from vigilante groups" - an assertion categorically rejected by the sporting body who selected the team.

Outside court the Newry fighter spoke of his devastation at being unable to compete in Australia next month.

He said: "I'm gutted, but I wouldn't want this to disrupt the other athletes. I just want to wish the rest of them all the best."

Despite withdrawing injunction proceedings, Mr Wallace's lawyers confirmed he will be pursuing a claim for damages over the alleged unlawfulness of his deselection earlier this month.

He originally went to court seeking an order reversing the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council's decision to drop him from the team heading to the Gold Coast.

At the time police said they were investigating a complaint against a 21-year-old from the Newry area.

Mr Wallace denies any wrongdoing and has not been arrested or questioned.

An Ulster light-heavyweight amateur champion, he gained further recognition after working with UFC Superstar Conor McGregor at a 2016 training camp in America.

Counsel for the boxer indicated he was willing to live apart from other athletes in a bid to get back onto the team.

But those attempts ended after the London-based Commonwealth Games Federation confirmed its rules do not allow late entry for athletes after the registration deadline.

With other boxers already in Australia training and sparring, Mr Wallace's barrister also accepted it could be disruptive for him to join them.

Ronan Lavery QC said: "There are obstacles here which have been placed before him which are insurmountable at this stage."

The court heard Mr Wallace was originally notified of his place on the team in January.

Later that month, however, he was subjected to publicity after being confronted by what his lawyer described as a self-styled vigilante group.