A Dublin-based domestic abuse charity has urged the GAA to publish recommendations contained in a safeguarding review set up after domestic abuse allegations were made against former Derry football manager Rory Gallagher.
The McGibbon Safeguarding Review was commissioned in July 2023 to examine Ulster GAA’s response to adult safeguarding practice when concerns are raised about domestic violence and abuse.
The three-person review panel, chaired by consultant Gareth McGibbon, delivered its report to Ulster GAA chiefs in October 2023, but no details have been made public.
Last August, the GAA set up the Adult Safeguarding Culture Review Task Force to “guide” it on the implementation of recommendations arising from the review.
It was established after Mr Gallagher’s estranged wife, Nicola, claimed that GAA chiefs in Derry and Fermanagh were told about allegations of domestic abuse but took no action.
Mr Gallagher has strongly denied the allegations.
He stepped down as Derry manager in the days before the Ulster final in May 2023 after the allegations were made by Ms Gallagher on social media.
An attempt to reappoint Mr Gallagher to the Derry management post ended last September when county GAA chiefs said he was not being considered.
Earlier this week Kildare club champions Naas backtracked on a decision to appoint Mr Gallagher to a coaching role after GAA president Jarlath Burns contacted the club to express concerns.
Mr Gallagher has threatened legal action if Mr Burns does not issue a retraction.
The Ulster Council did not respond directly when asked this week to provide details of recommendations made in the McGibbon report and confirm what action has been taken.
Instead, a senior official provided a link to a press release issued by the GAA in Dublin last August announcing the establishment of the task force, which is chaired by Donegal native Julie Galbraith.
Neither the GAA in Croke Park or Ms Galbraith responded when contacted.
David Hall, CEO of domestic violence charity Sonas, raised questions over the delays.
“In circumstances where there’s safeguarding issues, they don’t need to get involved in any individual named circumstances or what they did or didn’t find, but in the context of recommendations, all recommendations involving safeguarding should be in public,” he said.
“There’s no set of circumstances where there shouldn’t be, because people need to understand and know what they are.
“You are prohibiting those organisations and clubs taking those safeguarding recommendations on board themselves independently of any direction sent from the head office of the GAA.
“It should have been done ages ago.”
Mr Hall questioned whether the GAA had learned any lessons.
“Things have moved on and they need to move on and come with the times - that there is an obligation on organisations such as the GAA to protect its members, those who are trusted with their care as a voluntary organisation - they don’t diminish the responsibilities they have irrespective of their volunteer status,” he said.
“Therefore, they have got to act accordingly.”
He added the GAA needs to demonstrate it is taking abuse concerns seriously.
“They should be published immediately and any rationale that needs to be given with them…but also the implementation plan needs to be given.”
