More trouble ahead for AAI and ISC - AAI President admits to "spoofing" at hearing

Fish'n'Chips

From today's Sunday Times:

Sports Council hit by legal row
The Irish Sports Council (ISC) is facing further legal action arising out of the controversy surrounding its sacking of Mary Coghlan, the chief executive of Athletics Ireland (AAI), which has already cost the state €750,000, writes Mark Tighe.

The board of the ISC and Ossie Kilkenny, its chairman, have been put on notice by Gerry Giblin, a former board member of AAI, that he is seeking damages and an apology for the allegedly “libellous” report, which was sent to Martin Cullen, the former sports minister, in May last year.

The report, sent by Kilkenny, included a letter written by Pierce O’Callaghan, a former AAI employee, which alleged Giblin was involved in pre-deciding that Coghlan would secure the chief executive’s position of AAI in 2008.

The details of the letter were revealed in a four-day High Court action taken in March by Coghlan against AAI and the ISC for unfair dismissal. The state was left with a bill of about €750,000 after the Sports Council and Athletics Ireland agreed an out-of-court settlement over Coghlan’s dismissal.

According to the report sent to Cullen and read out in court, O’Callaghan was of the view that the appointment process for the AAI’s chief executive’s job was “compromised and the final outcome decided in advance”. The letter to Cullen said O’Callaghan identified Giblin as a “central figure” in the process.

Giblin denies the allegation and has filed a High Court case for defamation against O’Callaghan. The former AAI board member has issued solicitor’s letters to the ISC and Kilkenny asking for an apology and details on how they propose to remedy the matter.

The ISC declined to comment. Its board has signed off on an internal report on the Coghlan case, which has been sent to Mary Hanafin, the new sports minister.

Coghlan had claimed that pressure from Kilkenny, and John Treacy, the chief executive of the ISC, which provides funding to the AAI, had forced her out of her job less than a year after she was appointed.

At a meeting between the ISC and AAI board members on November 12, 2008, Kilkenny had told the athletics board that “the cancer” had to be removed from the organisation. AAI board members testified that they understood Kilkenny was referring to Coghlan. Kilkenny denies the comment referred to Coghlan.

The fallout from the Coghlan case may have further ramifications for AAI. Opposition TDs have criticised Liam Hennessy, its president, after minutes of board meetings read out during the trial revealed he admitted to “spoofing” and “tried to avoid answering questions” at the Oireachtas committee on sport last year.

Olivia Mitchell, the Fine Gael spokeswoman on sport, said: “It is shocking that the president of a state-funded body should come before a committee of the Dail and later admit he tried to avoid answering questions.”

AAI refused to comment.

ecoli

Have you ever anything positive to say about the sport? It seems as though every post you have ever posted (yes i have checked) has been attacking the sport. While i know there are problems in the sport (would be naive to think there wasnt) but unless you have some positives how can you bear having any interest in the sport as a whole? And while people make mistakes in the sport the constant barrage of negativity towards the sport with no positive input is ultimately more damaging to the sport than the mistakes which are being made.

helpisontheway

Will you ever give it a rest.Your like a broken record!:rolleyes:
This case has nothing directly to do with AAI.Its between Giblin who is no longer on the board,the ISC and O Callaghan.
Your thread title is totally misleading and encouraging arguement.Theres a word to describe this but ill get banned if i use it!:eek:

Hard Worker

helpisontheway wrote: »

Will you ever give it a rest.Your like a broken record!:rolleyes:
This case has nothing directly to do with AAI.Its between Giblin who is no longer on the board,the ISC and O Callaghan.
Your thread title is totally misleading and encouraging arguement.Theres a word to describe this but ill get banned if i use it!:eek:

None of the post is his own work. He's quoting the Times and it has everything to do with AAI and is of interest to me and other people. I havn't taken part in that debate in the past and I'm not going to now, other than to say, what a pity almost a million euro will be lost and no one is accountable for it - yet.

thirtyfoot

This reminds me of being in a nighclub at about 2.05am back in the last millenium in college days. It had been planned as a big night on the prowl, everyone was going to be there, started drinking early and some serious crack was going to be had. As the night went there were many casualties, everyone ultimately too drunk to pull yet you would still find yourself there at the end of the night with one lad who was convinced he still could. The lights would be on, the national anthem played, your stomach calling at for a batter sausage and curry chips and your man would be "c'mon, one more lap, we can still pull". You knew in your heart of hearts that there was more chance of hell freezing over so you'd find your lilac ticket for the cloakroom in your arsepocket, get your coat and get those chips. Sometimes it was best to know when to stay stop and cut your losses.

I think our friend Fish N Chips is that lad circling the dancefloor trying to pull some young one in a GAA jersey despite she looking a bit like John Hayes. Flogging a dead horse, last sting of a dying wasp, whatever you want to call it. Its time to move on and try do something positive instead of playing silly politics. I know all I need to know. Things ain't perfect but they are getting better.

Its ironic that the last two Chairs of the Finance Committee are in the news this week. The previous one is there as he is suing the ISC about something that has about as much relevance to the future of Irish athletics as my first paragraph here while the other (and current) is there because he has announced plans to build an indoor 6 lane track along with his existing Mondo track in Athlone by the end of 2011. That says it all for me!!!

ecoli

Tingle wrote: »

This reminds me of being in a nighclub at about 2.05am back in the last millenium in college days. It had been planned as a big night on the prowl, everyone was going to be there, started drinking early and some serious crack was going to be had. As the night went there were many casualties, everyone ultimately too drunk to pull yet you would still find yourself there at the end of the night with one lad who was convinced he still could. The lights would be on, the national anthem played, your stomach calling at for a batter sausage and curry chips and your man would be "c'mon, one more lap, we can still pull". You knew in your heart of hearts that there was more chance of hell freezing over so you'd find your lilac ticket for the cloakroom in your arsepocket, get your coat and get those chips. Sometimes it was best to know when to stay stop and cut your losses.

I think our friend Fish N Chips is that lad circling the dancefloor trying to pull some young one in a GAA jersey despite she looking a bit like John Hayes. Flogging a dead horse, last sting of a dying wasp, whatever you want to call it. Its time to move on and try do something positive instead of playing silly politics. I know all I need to know. Things ain't perfect but they are getting better.

Its ironic that the last two Chairs of the Finance Committee are in the news this week. The previous one is there as he is suing the ISC about something that has about as much relevance to the future of Irish athletics as my first paragraph here while the other (and current) is there because he has announced plans to build an indoor 6 lane track along with his existing Mondo track in Athlone by the end of 2011. That says it all for me!!!

I dont think this is considered news to athletics for our friend here as its a positive step in Irish athletics why would you wanna talk about that?:p

Fish'n'Chips

Originally posted by Tingle
This reminds me of being in a nighclub at about 2.05am back in the last millenium in college days. It had been planned as a big night on the prowl, everyone was going to be there, started drinking early and some serious crack was going to be had. As the night went there were many casualties, everyone ultimately too drunk to pull yet you would still find yourself there at the end of the night with one lad who was convinced he still could. The lights would be on, the national anthem played, your stomach calling at for a batter sausage and curry chips and your man would be "c'mon, one more lap, we can still pull". You knew in your heart of hearts that there was more chance of hell freezing over so you'd find your lilac ticket for the cloakroom in your arsepocket, get your coat and get those chips. Sometimes it was best to know when to stay stop and cut your losses.

I think our friend Fish N Chips is that lad circling the dancefloor trying to pull some young one in a GAA jersey despite she looking a bit like John Hayes. Flogging a dead horse, last sting of a dying wasp, whatever you want to call it. Its time to move on and try do something positive instead of playing silly politics. I know all I need to know. Things ain't perfect but they are getting better.

Its ironic that the last two Chairs of the Finance Committee are in the news this week. The previous one is there as he is suing the ISC about something that has about as much relevance to the future of Irish athletics as my first paragraph here while the other (and current) is there because he has announced plans to build an indoor 6 lane track along with his existing Mondo track in Athlone by the end of 2011. That says it all for me!!!

The story in the Times must be a mirage so. Never underestimate the power of denial, aye Tingle? Sure it has nothing to do with Irish athletics that the president of the association would think it's ok to "spoof" when asked some serious questions about the running of the sport...that's the sort of honourable person we want leading the organisation :rolleyes: If the story is so irrelevant now why are national newspapers still reporting on it?

Somebody must be accountable or did a ghost move into the AAI's safe and take the 750k? Haven't ever seen you address that question.

FYI The buidling of the indoor track in Athlone is not an AAI project despite the new chair of the AAI Finance Committee being involved with it. Ciaran O'Cathain is the president of Athlone IT and the project is an Athlone IT one. It would be going ahead regardless of whether O'Cathain got voted in as the new Finance chair or not so I don't know what point you're trying to make there.

Fish'n'Chips

Originally posted by Tingle
I know all I need to know.

I think you should possibly consider changing that to "I hear what I want to hear."

Rineanna

While this is very much flogging a dead horse, can we please keep the thread on topic for anyone who might still be interested in dissecting this case.

thirtyfoot

FishnChips wrote: »

FYI The buidling of the indoor track in Athlone is not an AAI project despite the new chair of the AAI Finance Committee being involved with it. Ciaran O'Cathain is the president of Athlone IT and the project is an Athlone IT one. It would be going ahead regardless of whether O'Cathain got voted in as the new Finance chair or not so I don't know what point you're trying to make there.

That is true and I haven't said anything about any AAI committee being involved. My point is simple, I'd prefer to have someone on the Board who can get things done like build a Mondo or indoor track as opposed to suing people. To me, as an athlete, a coach, a club member and an AAI member, Gerry Giblin suing the ISC will have a little or no effect on my involvement or my future involvement in the sport. A new indoor arena in Athlone will very likely have an effect. Thats why its irrelevant to me and why it doesn't concern me and why in my opinion its yet another example of the messing that has gone on for the past few years, messing that thankfully the vast majority of people in the association have left behind and are moving on.

tempo

Like Ecoli I had a look at all your posts Fish N Chips and all you do is post negative crap.<snip>

--amadeus--

I'm an outsider with no interest at all in AAI politics, who they sue, etc.

What did strike me as shocking about the above though was that the President of the organisation would (A) be dumb enough to try and "spoof" an Oireachtas committee and (B) even dumber to brag about it in a meeting afterwards and (C) shockingly dumb enough to sign off on minutes that he had spoofed them. Is that really the standard of leadership? And I don't see headlines about his resignation, or apologies so I assume he sees nothing wrong in this.

Compare that with across the water where an FA official makes some stupid and unguarded comments and resigns within 24 hours.

IrishTrackFan1

Tingle wrote: »

That is true and I haven't said anything about any AAI committee being involved. My point is simple, I'd prefer to have someone on the Board who can get things done like build a Mondo or indoor track as opposed to suing people. To me, as an athlete, a coach, a club member and an AAI member, Gerry Giblin suing the ISC will have a little or no effect on my involvement or my future involvement in the sport. A new indoor arena in Athlone will very likely have an effect. Thats why its irrelevant to me and why it doesn't concern me and why in my opinion its yet another example of the messing that has gone on for the past few years, messing that thankfully the vast majority of people in the association have left behind and are moving on.

Your point is simple Tingle, but your logic is flawed. Giblin resigned from the Board in order to avoid further distraction to AAI as he pursues his case for defamation. He also has been open in his support for O'Cathain (that's not surprising given the link to Raheny) as his successor so it could be argued that your desire to see the likes of O'Cathain on the Board is not only shared by Giblin but has in effect been made possible by his actions.
There's a bigger picture regarding the negative effect the ISC has on athletics and the possibility that the recent case and the upcoming ones (O'Callaghan is also being sued) will enable some sort of best practise to emerge at national level without such interference although I'm not holding my breath on that.

thirtyfoot

--amadeus-- wrote: »

I'm an outsider with no interest at all in AAI politics, who they sue, etc.

What did strike me as shocking about the above though was that the President of the organisation would (A) be dumb enough to try and "spoof" an Oireachtas committee and (B) even dumber to brag about it in a meeting afterwards and (C) shockingly dumb enough to sign off on minutes that he had spoofed them. Is that really the standard of leadership? And I don't see headlines about his resignation, or apologies so I assume he sees nothing wrong in this.

Compare that with across the water where an FA official makes some stupid and unguarded comments and resigns within 24 hours.

The Oireachteas committee meeting was pretty bad alright and not a shining example of leadership. All this was known about the President before Congress and yet with all of this and all the negativity that went on around Hennessy he still go re-elected ahead of the the Giblin/Coghlan/Fish N Chips candidate Michael Heery with a pretty big majority. That was a major shock and was decided by the grassroots and members of the association. Why was this? Was there more to this than meets the eye? On here only gives a small glimpse of the real world. Yet people here know that there are two sides to this whole debacle, that it was not a simple case of a good side and a dark side. You can't say it though for fear of a) getting a ban and b) being sued. Anyway, it doesn't need to be said as the vast majority of people have moved on. Progress is being made. The board is stronger, we have good people committing to commitees, the athletes are performing well by and large. Time to move on. The people have spoken.

thirtyfoot

IrishTrackFan1 wrote: »

Your point is simple Tingle, but your logic is flawed. Giblin resigned from the Board in order to avoid further distraction to AAI as he pursues his case for defamation. He also has been open in his support for O'Cathain (that's not surprising given the link to Raheny) as his successor so it could be argued that your desire to see the likes of O'Cathain on the Board is not only shared by Giblin but has in effect been made possible by his actions.

Not sure what the Raheny link is though, is that not a bad thing that we'd be following club lines on determining such things. O' Cathain son's was coached by a Raheny man who got him to transfer to Raheny, thats about the limit of the link. He is no longer coached by this guy and probably has very little connection with the club aside from pulling on the vest but its interesting to see who he is coached by now;) If Giblin stepped aside and facilitated O' Cathain getting in because his son runs with his club, fair play to him, find it strange that it would even be a factor.

thirtyfoot

FishnChips wrote: »

The story in the Times must be a mirage so. Never underestimate the power of denial, aye Tingle? Sure it has nothing to do with Irish athletics that the president of the association would think it's ok to "spoof" when asked some serious questions about the running of the sport...that's the sort of honourable person we want leading the organisation :rolleyes: If the story is so irrelevant now why are national newspapers still reporting on it?

These are the same national newspapers that said Mary Coghlan was a bully, can you not see the irony in you using stories in national newspapers as a trigger to start yet another argument as part of your witchhunt. The stories in the national newspaper I'd be more interested in would be the type about John Sheehan, Gordon Kennedy and Brona Furlong that was in the Sindo a few weeks back. It was great to read and was as the journalist intended proof that the real sport is a million miles away from this crap. We all could leak things to the press or spout on here and say what we really know. Fear if being sued probably stops us all.

FishnChips wrote: »

Somebody must be accountable or did a ghost move into the AAI's safe and take the 750k? Haven't ever seen you address that question.

I have said many times who was accountable - Coghlan, Giblin, McGonagle and Hennessy. Its simple. There were two sides and each were as bad. I say there were two sides, you believe there was only one. We will never agree on that.

thirtyfoot

You know what, I'm going to leave you have your fun here. Better things to be doing that talking guff. I think debate/argument is what you want Fish N Chips to keep this going so I won't humour you and instead I think I'll log off and head down and finally mop that kitchen floor.

Best of luck and give us a text if you end up pulling that fat one in the GAA jersey, I'm sure it'll be worth it in the end.

IrishTrackFan1

Just for clarification - I said that he stepped down to avoid distraction and that his support for O'Cathain could be linked to the club connection. Not that he stepped down for some club reason.

IrishTrackFan1

Taking your list of villains as a given, Coghlan and Giblin are gone but Hennessy and McGonagle (as Olympic Team Manager) remain. How is that 'progress being made', or 'a stronger Board'? Sounds more like a work in progress. And leaving out Kilkenny and Treacy altogether from the equation?

Fish'n'Chips

Originally posted by Tingle
These are the same national newspapers that said Mary Coghlan was a bully

Don't think so. The only paper that ran the story saying that was the Mail on Sunday - they stopped running the story when they realised their 'source' was unreliable.

myflipflops

FishnChips wrote: »

Athletics Ireland (AAI), which has already cost the state €750,000, writes Mark Tighe.
.

I just see this and think how much good 750k could do in the sport if used correctly.

downthemiddle

and in other breaking news......




The sky is blue.

eon1208

In Oirland it is rare to see anybody held accountable for : wastage, profligacy. ie banking ,governmental departments etc... There is always lots of talk but never true accountability... The money in the AAI case is loose change compared to the above and all thats happening is ordinary people are treated contemptuously with all the funny money going down the plug hole into some golden circle...750k, or a percentage of, is a lot of money to be enriching the likes of the already rich legal eagles..Why could this not be solved on a personal level, its always the same old story the litigation mentality...