Former Derry GAA boss Rory Gallagher, who stepped down from the role due to allegations of domestic abuse, has said he “fully intends” to return to inter-county management.
The man who led Derry to the 2022 Ulster title made a comeback to senior football management with Monaghan side Corduff earlier this year after a ban was lifted.
There has since been speculation he could return to Oak Leaf county after Mickey Harte stepped down from the role in July.
A statement, issued by Gallagher’s solicitors, Phoenix Law, highlights the fact that he has never been prosecuted with a crime and sets out the position around their client’s application to return to inter-county management.
“There is no legal impediment to our client undertaking or accepting a role as a GAA Senior Football manager,” it reads.
“Our client fully intends to return to inter county management in the near future.
“Two separate investigations have led — rightly — to decisions by the PPS not to prosecute. Mr Gallagher has not been charged with a single offence,” the statement continued.
Gallagher was temporarily banned from the GAA in September 2023 after Ulster GAA instructed an independent panel to look into allegations made by his estranged wife Nicola Gallagher.
He gave up his role as Derry manager in May last year but successfully challenged the ban through the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) which found in his favour after a hearing held on February 1.
Read more
His solicitor said decisions on his appointment to any role within the sporting association must be “exercised in accordance with the rule of law and due process”.
“It is a widely reported fact that our client has now been connected with a number of potential roles within the GAA,” the statement continued.
“Our client has always been transparent with each of those who have approached him for appointment.
“Decision-making must be made lawfully and should never be contaminated by irrelevant social media opinion or comment.”
It comes just weeks after a feminist activist claimed the the public will be “rightly appalled” if Gallagher is reappointed to the position after Nicola claimed she had suffered abuse over a 24-year period.
Elaine Crory, from Belfast’s Women’s Resource and Development Agency, said Derry GAA needed to seriously consider its actions.
“The senior staff and delegates within the Derry team need to really seriously think about what message they are sending,” she added.
“There is no level of talent [that] justifies this. There was a good reason why he left that post, and nothing has changed since then.
“If they think this won’t be noticed, they are wrong. The public will be rightly appalled by this.”
Gallagher maintained the claims had been investigated and dealt with by the relevant authorities.
A previous attempt by the county to reappoint Gallagher late last year was scuppered by the GAA’s decision to temporarily debar him.
It is believed Gallagher also has the backing of some county officials and a sizeable group of players on the squad.
The move follows the establishment of the GAA’s Adult Safeguarding and Culture Review Task Force which was set up to implement recommendations from a review into how the association responded when concerns were raised in relation to domestic abuse and violence.
The statement from Phoenix Law describes the allegations made against Gallagher as “unfounded” and says its client “has engaged with every statutory process pertaining to his private family situation, and countered the allegations made against him by his ex-wife”.
“Crucially, he has engaged with all criminal investigations and answered all questions posed to him by the police,” it adds.
“At all stages of this process, our client has firmly and steadfastly denied his guilt and refuted all the allegations levelled against him.”
It says Gallagher has also “engaged thoroughly with the family court proceedings” as “his priority has always been, and continues to be, caring for his children, and trying to rebuild his family” following “a very difficult time for all concerned”.
“He has tried to navigate this situation while prioritising his family’s interests,” it continues.
“Regrettably, given continued ‘trial by social media’, our client, after consultation with his three young children, has had no alternative but to make the instant details public.”
The legal firm warned that any recruitment decisions made by the GAA must be “made lawfully” and “should never be contaminated by irrelevant social media opinion or comment”.
“The rule of law and due process exist for a reason,” the statement concludes.
“They exist to allow persons who are accused, to have a fair trial, and for findings to be made on a properly informed basis after all sides have been heard.”
News Catch Up – Thursday 19 September 2024