OLYMPIC boxing success for Galway traveller Francis Barrett has brought its benefits in the form of gifts and offers to fly his family to his next bout in Atlanta. A mobile phone has also been given to the family.
When he rejoins the boxing fray early next Monday morning, the 19 year old will be watched at ringside by his favourite sparring partners, Jimmy and John Barrett, his two teenage brothers.
A construction company based in Dunboyne, Co Meath, is sponsoring the Atlanta trip, also made possible with the help of gardai in Galway and Meath who have ensured that new documents were processed by the Passport Office within hours yesterday.
The Olympic Council of Ireland spent much of yesterday arranging the Atlanta end of the trip. A representative of the sponsors, JP Molloy and Company, was not available for comment last night, though it is understood the company is not particularly seeking publicity.
In Galway, the boxer's parents, Frank and Margaret Barrett, took delivery last night of a mobile phone. It was delivered by courier from Dublin to their caravan at the Hillside encampment on the out skirts of the city.
The phone was provided by Cellular Direct so the Barrells can have regular contact with Francis at the Olympic village. Up to now, the family has been using the phone at a relative's house that of their local priest or a call box near their caravan to talk with Francis. The boxer has been ringing daily.
His parents have already declined offers to be flown out to Atlanta. Said Mr Frank Barrett "I wasn't interested in going and neither was the wife because we don't like flying. I've never been in a plane. The wife was in Rome alright. I might go if it was in England."
The latest count in offers to fly the boxer's friend and mentor to the games reached 10 yesterday but Mr Michael `Chick' Gillen said he was saving himself for the Sydney Olympics when he predicted that Jimmy Barrett would be winning the gold.
A Galway based company which does not want to be identified confirmed it would be erecting a large television screen for the next bout and having a party after the fight for the Barretts and their friends. The family watched the first fight on a small portable television, perched on a box outside their caravan.
