“It seems clear that the President has now opted to take matters into his own hands.”
Following an email sent to Naas GAA over the potential appointment of former Derry boss Rory Gallagher, the latter has reportedly threatened to sue GAA President Jarlath Burnsthe if he does not retract the correspondence with the club.
Multiple media outlets – such as the Irish Times, the Irish Independent, the BBC, and the Irish Examiner – have reported that Gallagher has taken issue with Burns over his correspondence with Naas GAA.
Gallagher had been due to join Joe Murphy’s backroom team with the Kildare outfit, but the appointment didn’t go ahead in a sudden u-turn.
It was then revealed that Burns had sent an email to Naas expressing concern over the potential hire, given the assault allegations that were levelled against Gallagher by his wife in 2023, while he was manager of Derry. Gallagher subsequently stepped down from the role.
Burns reportedly referenced the role of the GAA and LFGA in the launch of Game Changer, a collaboration with Ruhma and White Ribbon, which is aimed at raising awareness about tackling Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
Gallagher has subsequently released a statement to various media outlets, threatening to sue Burns if he does not retract his words.
The statement reads: “With great power comes great responsibility. Mr Burns’ actions are premised on a misguided and self-serving compulsion to share his concern. Regrettably, whilst this is the first time Mr Burns’ actions have been made public, this is not the first time that I have been informed that he has taken matters into his own hands with respect to me and my family life.
“By Mr Burns’ own admission, his motivation is the “controversy” surrounding my “personal life” that “has created division”
“Despite having engaged with due process and procedure, it seems clear that the President has now opted to take matters into his own hands.
“Such action is not only without precedent, it seeks to enter into an authoritarian world where due process and procedure count for nothing.
“I await with interest to see if Mr Burns takes such direct personal action against others who find their private life the subject of social media commentary and hyperbole.
“The chilling effect of these actions cannot be greater. Mr Burns’ actions not only undermine the very principles of fairness and equality to which the GAA is premised, but it sends a clear message that such dictatorial action can and will be taken when the President sees fit.
“I have never asked for sympathy or support. I do however ask that this action is formally withdrawn and the contents of the correspondence is retracted. The President should lead by example and accept when he has overstepped the mark.
“Absent such a retraction, I will have no other alternative but to take legal action to cure the irreparable damage done to me and my family in my ability to continue to work as a manager in the years ahead.”
