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GARDAÍ ARE INVESTIGATING after the Football Association of Ireland reported receiving a number of suspicious letters to its headquarters.
TheJournal.ie and The42.ie understand that threatening letters were sent to individuals at the organisation at some stage last week.
It’s understood a letter was sent to staff last week on behalf of interim executive lead Paul Cooke that the FAI was working closely with gardaí in Blanchardstown over a number of “postal incidents”.
A number of security measures were also being put in place as a precaution, this letter said.
In a statement to TheJournal.ie this evening, a garda spokesperson said: “An Garda Síochána are currently investigating correspondence received at the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) at their Headquarters at Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.
“There is no further comment at this stage.”
On Friday, the FAI revealed it had liabilities of over €55 million in its annual report.
The FAI also disclosed last week that it had paid a settlement of €462,000 to former CEO John Delaney while its outgoing president Donal Conway said the association’s financial model was “clearly not fit for purpose”.
Officials from the FAI had been due to appear before a sitting of the Oireachtas Committee on Sport tomorrow but said this morning it was unable to accept the invitation.
A statement from the association said they want to focus on “the refinancing package that will guarantee the future of the FAI and safeguard jobs” for now, meaning they won’t have time to attend the hearing this week.
It comes after a turbulent few months for the embattled FAI which culminated in the revelation of its dire financial situation last Friday.
State funding from Sports Ireland remains suspended, and the FAI is also under investigation by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement.
With reporting from Gavin Cooney
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Definitely looks beautiful. Never been there but it’s on the bucket list.
There’s so much to see in Ireland.
@Patrick Corr: great spot, worth a look alright. Felt like I was pulling up to a Bond villain hideout when coming up to the pier at the base! Class!
As a Kerryman of 46 I’m ashamed to say I only visited it for the first time last year. Worth the wait. I’m not religious but there is something spiritual about the place.
It is just beautiful. I paid a visit to it about 40 years ago. I often said I would go out to it again but never did. I am too old and stiff now to manage another visit. I promise you you will enjoy a visit to Skellig Michael if only to see the bee-hive stone huts.
Skellig used to be a place of pilgrimage. Sadly no longer. It’s all about the money now. I paddled a sea kayak out to Skellig Michael over the summer. Made sure to land there before the first ferry at 0900hrs so as not to get in their way. Was greeted with downright hostility by staff from An Taisce was told to go back to the pier and wait for the first tour to land and come up with them. Fair enough I thought. Health and safety requirement no doubt. First ferry arrived. Skipper jumped onto the pier and immediately yelled at me before I said a word. You’re not going up with my passengers. All I wanted to do was climb to the monastery and say a few prayers. He calmed down then and said I could accompany the passengers up. Some of whom were dressed in star wars costumes. The place has become a theme park.
How about looking at better regulations for those taking visitors there by boat. Their prices are scandalously high.
Fascinating place. Visited once. Keen to go again. Reportedly St. Olaf was baptized there, having converted while in Ireland. When ge became king he was instrumental in leading the Vikings to Jesus. The view from St. Finian’s Bay is spectacular if the surf is up, and the sea is too big to land on the Skellig.
Get some hillwalking in before you visit, only 20 walk but factor in the adrenalin & it is a test. Amazing experience & if one can’t do the steps there are cruises that give a commentary.
Don’t eat the puffin.
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