Rory Gallagher temporarily debarred, Ulster GAA confirms

Former Donegal manager Rory Gallagher has been ‘temporarily debarred’ from the GAA.

The Ulster Council confirmed the news in a short statement on Sunday night.

It comes after the Sunday World revealed that the Fermanagh native - who stepped down as Derry manager in May after his estranged wife, Nicola, accused him of domestic abuse - has been coaching at the Corduff club in Monaghan.

Last month, it was confirmed that Ulster GAA had asked an independent panel to look into the allegations.

On Sunday night, the Ulster Council said: “Ulster GAA wish to confirm that Mr Rory Gallagher has been temporarily debarred, without prejudice, from the GAA until the Ulster GAA Safeguarding Panel conclude their work. We will not be making any further comment on these matters at this time.”

The news means that Gallagher is not permitted to coach teams until an investigation has been completed.

Gallagher was assistant manager to Jim McGuinness when Donegal won the All-Ireland in 2012 and he succeeded McGuinness as Donegal manager in 2014.

Ahead of the Ulster final, which Derry won against Armagh on penalties, Gallagher decided to ‘step back’ and two days later he stepped down as manager.

Nicola Gallagher made a series of allegations in a Facebook post on May 9.

“Silence isn’t the answer, I tried that, I thought I was protecting my children, the only person I was protecting was him,” she said. “Please anyone who’s been through this, speak out. Silence nearly killed me.”

Gallagher, in a subsequent statement issued through a solicitor, said: “Our marriage broke down over four years ago. Those closest to our family are well aware of the reasons for the breakdown of our marriage and the continued issues we have faced since that time.

“Allegations against me have been investigated and dealt with by the relevant authorities. My focus over the past four years has been to protect our children from the ongoing turmoil in our family."