An Irish international boxer, who is alleged to have taken part in bare-fist fighting, has secured a High Court order directing the secretary of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) to return his medical record so that he may weigh-in today for the National Senior Boxing Championships.
Michael McDonagh (21), of Dalton Park, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, a member of the Brosna Boxing club, represented Ireland against Hungary in 2003. In his legal proceedings, he claims his coach, Thomas Ward, told him last November that the president of the IABA had received a video of Mr McDonagh taking part in bare-fist fighting. The boxer's medical record was subsequently recalled.
In court yesterday senior counsel Colm Smyth, for Mr McDonagh, said his client had told the IABA he wanted a "proper inquiry" and was not prepared to surrender his medical record until he was furnished with reasons in writing.
Mr McDonagh said he was told that until such time as he viewed the video, in which he had been identified by IABA solicitors as the person engaged in bare-fist fighting, he stood suspended from boxing.
Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O'Neill granted Mr McDonagh an interim injunction which continues until Monday next, directing the IABA to return Mr McDonagh's medical record pending the determination of the boxer's action against the IABA.