Rio ticket controversy: Kevin Mallon returns to Ireland

Irish THG Sports employee maintains innocence in Brazilian Olympic ‘touting’ case

Kevin Mallon, a Dublin man arrested in Rio de Janeiro over alleged Olympic Games ticket touting, has returned to Ireland, his lawyer has said.

Franklin Gomes said his client left Brazil on Thursday and is now back with his family.

Mr Mallon (36), an employee of THG Sports, was arrested in August in Rio after police said they found him in possession of hundreds of tickets for Olympic events, including the opening and closing ceremonies.

He was later charged with ambush marketing, ticket touting, tax evasion, criminal association, and larceny. His company was not authorised to sell tickets for Olympics, police said.

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Mr Mallon was detained in a Brazilian prison for a period and his passport was held by Brazilian officials after his release.

His passport was returned this week after a bond of 750,000 Brazilian reals (some €205,000) was lodged with a Brazilian court.

Mr Mallon signed an agreement to continue to fully engage with and cooperate with the ongoing legal process in Brazil.

Mr Gomes said the legal team had been focusing on getting Mr Mallon back to Ireland to spend Christmas with his infant child, and family.

Mr Mallon maintains his innocence on all charges and his lawyer says he will cooperate “100 per cent” with the ongoing legal process. “Kevin will return to Brazil when he is called by the courts.”

The former Olympic Council of Ireland president Pat Hickey, who was also detained over allegations relating to Olympics' tickets, has returned to Ireland and vowed to clear his name.