Child protection group seeks extradition of George Gibney

A FLORIDA-BASED child protection organisation has written to Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern, asking him to investigate former Olympic swimming coach George Gibney and urging his extradition to Ireland.

A copy of the letter was also forwarded to the US ambassador in Dublin, Dan Rooney, and to the US department of immigration.

“Minister, I am asking that you personally reopen this case . . .” wrote One Child International chief executive Evin Daly. “For the past two years we have being following the evidence trail of George Gibney, the Irish swimming coach, who has been documented as being a serial child sexual predator . . . An extensive report has been submitted to law enforcement locally in Orange County, Florida, where Gibney lives . . . with a view to initiate proceedings to deport Gibney . . . It is a travesty this has gone on so long unchallenged.”

In the US, the group lodged a formal complaint about Gibney with immigration authorities last month. One Child International has also informed local police where Gibney is living in Florida, who in turn have informed local residents about allegations against him.

Gibney was the Irish national coach from 1984 to 1991 and was charged with 17 counts of sexual abuse. A judicial review in 1994 prevented the case from proceeding due to the length of time elapsed since the alleged incidents took place. He then left Ireland and now lives in Orange City, Florida, under the name Jon Gibney.

Mr Daly, president of One Child International, which has branches in Canada, Europe, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, also contacted the office of the DPP in Ireland regarding any possible outstanding charges against Gibneyhere and to discuss mechanisms for possible extradition back to Ireland.

Mr Daly, who was born in Sligo, was in Ireland after Christmas for the jailing of former national swimming coach Ger Doyle and also had an informal meeting in Athlone with Fianna Fáil TD Mary O’Rourke. Doyle, another former Olympic coach, was sentenced to 6½ years in prison in January for sexually assaulting five boys at the swimming pool he managed.

The charity, established to prevent child abuse, expects that the immigration authority will forward a report to a field agent in Florida.

“I have written to Gibney’s local police department, Sherriff Ben F Johnson, Volusia County Sherriff’s Office, and I have met with them, updating them on his location and possible danger to the community,” said Mr Daly. “I have given him Gibney’s background and have spoken to the detective in charge of crimes against children,” he added.

Gibney is known to have a close association with a local church, the Church of Annunciation in Alta Monte Springs, Florida. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Annunciation Council and was recently involved in organising their St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Background report: page 4