Former Olympic swimming coach George Gibney arrested in US

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

Former Olympic swimming coach George Gibney has been arrested in the US on foot of a Garda extradition warrant.

US Marshals arrested Mr Gibney, 70s, in Florida on Tuesday afternoon. He is being detained pending a court appearance later today.

Mr Gibney, who had sex offence charges against him dismissed in the 1990s, has lived in the US for years.

In 2020, the podcast Where Is George Gibney, produced by Second Captains and the BBC, highlighted allegations of abuse against Mr Gibney and prompted new complainants to come forward.

“An Garda Síochána is aware of the arrest of a male aged in his 70s in the United States on foot of an Irish international arrest warrant,” gardaí said in a statement.

“As this is currently a matter for the US authorities, An Garda Síochána will not be commenting further at this time.”

Gibney was the founder of and a coach at the Trojan Swimming Club in Blackrock in Dublin. He also worked as a swimming coach with the Irish national team until 1991.

In 1993, he was charged with 27 counts of indecency and having carnal knowledge of girls under the age of 15.

The following year, a judicial review prevented the case from proceeding due to the length of time that had elapsed since the alleged incidents took place.

In 1997, after fresh allegations were made against him, a garda investigation into Gibney was opened. That investigation did not result in a prosecution.

In the wake of the broadcast of the Where is George Gibney podcast, which examined the abuse allegations that surrounded Mr Gibney, gardaí commenced a new investigation. After an appeal, a number of alleged victims came forward.

In November 2023, gardaí confirmed that a file on the matter had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The US Marshals Service has been contacted for comment.