Northern Ireland

Ulster GAA says Rory Gallagher 'temporarily disbarred' pending probe into domestic abuse claims

Rory and Nicola Gallagher
Rory and Nicola Gallagher

Ulster GAA has said former Derry football manager Rory Gallagher has been "temporarily debarred" from the GAA while an investigation continues into domestic abuse claims by his estranged wife.

The Ulster board confirmed their stance on Sunday following claims Mr Gallagher has returned to Gaelic games and had been helping train a Co Monaghan club.

It has been reported that Mr Gallagher has been involved with Corduff Gaels in recent weeks.

Details emerged just weeks after Ulster GAA announced it has asked its adult safeguarding panel to investigate domestic abuse claims made by the estranged wife of the former Oak Leaf manager.

An Ulster GAA spokesperson said: "Ulster GAA wish to confirm that Mr Rory Gallagher has been temporarily debarred, without prejudice, from the GAA until the Ulster GAA Safeguarding Panel conclude their work. We will not be making any further comment on these matters at this time."

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Mr Gallagher stepped down as Derry manager in May after allegations of domestic abuse were made by his estranged wife Nicola.

She broke her silence days earlier, claiming in a Facebook post that she was the victim of physical abuse for more than two decades.

Mr Gallagher said the allegations had been "investigated and dealt with by the relevant authorities".

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.

The GAA's approach to the sensitive allegations continues to come under intense scrutiny.

The Ulster Council, GAA chiefs in Monaghan and Corduff Gaels were contacted after it was reported by the Sunday World that Mr Gallagher has been involved with the Co Monaghan club Corduff Gaels.

Only Ulster GAA responded to the Irish News.

The club is managed by Corduff native and former Monaghan manager Seamus McEnaney.

It was reported that as well as taking training sessions, during which he organised drills, Mr Gallagher has been attending recent matches involving Corduff Gaels.

In a post on social media earlier this year, Nicola Gallagher claimed she had been beaten "into an inch of my life", strangled, bitten on the face and dragged by the hair along the street.

She said she was speaking out to encourage other young women who are being abused to know that "silence is not the answer".

In a statement issued through his solicitor, Mr Gallagher said he had "been made aware of a social media post by my estranged wife" in which "she has made a number of very serious allegations against me".

"Our marriage broke down over four years ago," he said. 

"Those closest to our family are well aware of the reasons for the breakdown of our marriage and the continued issues we have faced since that time."

Last month an Ulster GAA spokesperson said of its adult safeguarding panel: "Their deliberations are ongoing, and they will report to Ulster GAA when finalised."