ABUSE PROBE

Paedo swim coach George Gibney file sent to DPP after Garda probe into fresh historical sexual abuse allegations

Gardai re-opened their investigation into Gibney after several people made allegations against him on a BBC podcast three years ago.

• Published: 21:05, 1 Nov 2023
• Updated: 21:05, 1 Nov 2023

A FILE has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions following a Garda investigation into fresh allegations of historical child sex abuse by former Olympic swimming coach George Gibney.

The allegations have been investigated by a specialist team within the Garda National Protective Services Bureau over the past three years.

A number of new victims have made allegations against the Dublin Trojan swimming club, and a former Irish national swimming coach and gardai have recommended Mr Gibney face more than 50 charges.

Gibney, now 70, previously faced charges in 1993.

He appeared before Dun Laoghaire District Court in April of that year, charged with 27 counts of indecency against young swimmers and of having carnal knowledge of girls under the age of 15.

However, his prosecution was stopped after he took a judicial review in the High Court and, in July 1994, secured an injunction preventing the DPP from prosecuting him on those charges.

He then fled the country and moved to Scotland to train young swimmers before moving to the USA.

A second garda investigation in 1997 did not result in a prosecution.

Gardai re-opened their investigation into Gibney after several people made allegations against him on a BBC podcast three years ago.

The podcast titled ‘Where is George Gibney’ was released in 2020 and featured a number of victims telling their stories about the former swim coach.

The podcast makers were able to track Gibney to a suburb in Orlando and confronted him.

However, he refused to respond to questions on allegations that he sexually assaulted children in Ireland.

An appeal was made to people with information to come forward, and more than a dozen new victims made statements to investigators alleging Gibney had sexually abused them.

A decision by the DPP to recommend that Mr Gibney face trial could see them seek his extradition from the US.

In a statement tonight, a Garda spokesperson confirmed to the Irish Sun “that a file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions”.

They added: “Investigations are ongoing.”