Armagh GAA say they have “worked tirelessly with the PSNI” regarding the Miami sex assault allegations, we can reveal.
And GAA president, Jarlath Burns, was present at the meeting on Thursday night where the Armagh County Board publicly acknowledged the Miami ‘incident’ for the very first time.
Last week we exclusively revealed a serious incident had allegedly taken place in Florida and during the week the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they had “arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of sexual assault and causing a person to engage in sexual activity.”
That came after an unidentified man, speaking through his solicitor, said he “is innocent of all charges and vows to do everything in his power to clear his name.”
GAA president Jarlath Burns was at the Armagh meeting
The Orchard County and the GAA president had come in for criticism in some quarters for not speaking out and acknowledging the allegations which, before last week, had been swirling around the county and social media.
We can reveal the county did address the matter at their annual convention on Thursday night in a lesser-known GAA club on the outskirts of Newry.
Though the event was publicly open to the press and media, we have not found any journalist who attended the convention.
However, we can confirm that outgoing Armagh County Board chair Paul McArdle closed the convention with a short speech which included a comment about the allegations and police investigation.
In a statement released to this paper last night by the GAA, we can reveal Mr McArdle said: “We fully understand our clubs and members are concerned and aware of recent reports of an alleged incident in Miami.
The Armagh meeting
“I want to be absolutely clear on this matter, contrary to want you may have read or heard, Armagh GAA has and will continue to fully support and cooperate with everyone to ensure procedures are followed.
“I want to reassure our clubs and members that we have worked tirelessly and diligently with Ulster GAA, National GAA and the PSNI over recent weeks.
“Yesterday, the GAA issued a statement that had the full support of Armagh GAA. For those who are not aware of it, it reads: ‘We are aware of a reported incident and are responding to serious allegations. We can confirm Armagh GAA is continuing to respond to this matter in collaboration with Ulster GAA, the GAA at Central Level and the PSNI.’
“Out of respect for those involved and ongoing police enquiries, we are unable to comment any further at this time.”
The luxury Eden Roc Miami Beach Resort where the team went on holiday
Last week, we exclusively revealed how the county had put up a wall of silence – refusing to even acknowledge requests for comment on the serious allegations that had been swirling around the county and social media since the 100-strong party returned from Florida almost a month ago.
Sources within Armagh have been dismayed that the county had not said more sooner about the allegations, while insiders say those within the county board have been wary of doing or saying anything that might cause problems for the police investigation or that could cause upset to the alleged victim of the alleged sexual assault.
“Armagh have been put in a terrible situation because they have a duty of care to all concerned while there is an ongoing criminal investigation,” said an insider.
“But that being said, they probably should have been more upfront two weeks ago about the allegations — even if it was just to say they were aware of the claims and they were investigating.”
Some fans have spoken on social media about their disappointment at the seeming lack of transparency, given the fact it was GAA supporters who were asked to contribute to the fund that paid for the luxury holiday to the five-star Eden Roc Miami Beach Resort.
What is certain is the allegations have engulfed the Orchard County and left a sour taste after their senior men lifted the Sam Maguire cup for the first time in 22 years.
In July, Kieran McGeeney’s men were hailed as heroes as the county won just its second-ever All-Ireland title.
But the Miami allegations have wiped much of that feelgood factor away.
Armagh are already preparing for the start of their senior football campaign on January 25 with a trip to Salthill to face their All-Ireland final opponents Galway in the Allianz National Football League.
Outgoing Armagh chairman Paul McArdle, left, with new Armagh chairman Sean McAlinden
Around 30 players, the management team – including hero manager Kieran McGeeney – family members and other senior figures from the Armagh County Board spent a week in the Sunshine State in mid-November.
The trip, which reportedly cost around £3,000 (€3,600) per head, was funded by the GAA in Croke Park and by fundraising carried out by the clubs within the county.
Having flown out from Dublin to Miami on Wednesday, November 13, in a celebratory mood, the party arrived back in Dublin a week later on November 20 with a cloud hanging over it.
Overlooking the world-renowned Miami Beach on prestigious Millionaire’s Row, the Eden Roc Miami Beach is famous for hosting Hollywood greats like Elizabeth Taylor, Katharine Hepburn, Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart.
On Wednesday, the man who was arrested released a statement through solicitor Patrick Higgins, of Donnelly and Wall Solicitors.
It read: “My client voluntarily presented himself to the PSNI yesterday to be interviewed. He co-operated fully with the PSNI in the initial stages of the investigation.
“He is innocent of all charges and vows to do everything in his power to clear his name.”
Around 90 minutes after that statement was released the PSNI released their own statement confirming the arrest.
It stated: “Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of sexual assault and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, on Tuesday, December 10.
“He has since been released on police bail pending further inquiries.”