The Games Administration Committee of the GAA will today name and discipline the individual at the centre of the Mullingar tunnel incident. After a meeting at Croke Park last night, the GAC confirmed that it had completed its investigation into the matter and had taken decisions on the question of suspensions.

During the fracas which erupted at half-time during the Westmeath-Wicklow NFL match on February 28th, the Westmeath goalkeeper Dermot Ryan had his cheek broken and was hospitalised.

Asked at a press briefing whether someone would be held accountable for the assault on Ryan, GAA PRO Danny Lynch replied that it was "certain".

The statement from the GAC read: "The investigation into the tunnel incident has concluded. The individuals and county boards involved have to be notified. This will be done before noon tomorrow and a statement will issue to the media at the same time."

At last night's meeting, Wicklow player Stephen Byrne received an oral hearing at which he was accompanied by county secretary Jimmy Dunne. After approximately 20 minutes, the Wicklow contingent left and Dunne issued the following statement.

"We presented the facts and told the truth as we saw it on the day. We got a very fair hearing and we are confident that the GAC in their pursuit of the truth will come to the conclusion that we as a county were not responsible for the sad events at Mullingar."

Asked specifically about the charge levelled against Byrne who had no comment to make, Dunne confirmed it was for striking but that the player "absolutely denied it". He continued: "Stephen stated his case in relation to the striking incident in that he felt he was not the person who struck Dermot Ryan."

The Westmeath player charged in relation to the incidents in Mullingar, Rory O'Connell, is in America at the moment and requested an oral hearing. Presumably that will not be granted if the GAC investigation has "concluded".

Today's action will bring to a close a drawn-out episode which has been extremely embarrassing for the GAA. Not only has it been the most serious in a whole litany of unsavoury incidents which has beset the Association this year but the unending process has prolonged the negative publicity for almost six weeks.

At the second hearing two weeks ago nearly 20 witnesses, including 12 players, were called to assist the investigation. Two Westmeath team officials, manager Brendan Lowry and selector Ned Moore, were asked to respond to charges of verbal abuse - in Moore's case against a match official. Lowry replied in writing whereas Moore spoke to the GAC two weeks ago.

Byrne, Wicklow's centre-forward, was also taken to hospital on the day of the match although he played the second half. In the hotel afterwards he complained of a headache after dinner so he was brought to Tullamore hospital on the way home. He wasn't kept in but he had to see the doctor again the following day and was unable to work.

However, allegations that he was hit have apparently not been proceeded with by the GAC.

Other disciplinary matters were also dealt with last night. Paul Croft, the Dublin wing back charged in relation to the incident which saw him sent off during the Cork-Dublin NFL match at Pairc Ui Rinn last month, will know his fate today. He faces a three-month suspension if the indications of kicking, made on the day by match referee Aidan Mangan, have been reflected in his report.

Stephen McDonagh the Limerick corner back is another player who will hear what action has been taken against him after dismissal in the Limerick-Clare NHL match last Sunday week. Clare's Fergie Tuohy has requested an oral hearing and his case will be dealt with at a later date.