ODCE to examine report on Olympic ticket controversy

The Oireachtas committee on sport has agreed to send the report on the ticket-touting controversy to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement to be examined.

Members met in private session but agreed a number of new measures in their inquiry into the reselling of tickets owned by the Olympic Council of Ireland at the Games in Rio de Janeiro last year.

The ODCE and the Public Accounts Committee will be asked to assess the report of Mr Justice Carroll Moran to determine if any further action is required.

Significantly, the committee is to write to the Irish Embassy in Brazil seeking guidance on whether the trial of former OCI president Pat Hickey will be affected if he gives evidence to their committee.

Pat Hickey may be compelled to appear before new inquiry

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Mr Hickey is facing trial on seven separate charges in Brazil after he was arrested in Rio last year.

He has declined to appear before the committee and refused to give evidence to the Moran inquiry.

The committee chairman Fergus O’Dowd said members agreed to postpone a decision on compelling Mr Hickey until the Embassy replies.

Minister for Sport Shane Ross will also be asked to request Mr Justice Moran to complete an inquiry into the contract between the OCI and British ticket agent THG, which runs until 2026.

Mr Hickey’s successor Sarah Keane has said that he did not consult the executive board about his long-term deal with the ticket agent.