Pool of discontent

Isn't it curious that the club which consistently criticised the Irish Amateur Swimming Association and now Swim Ireland has been completely sidelined by the parent body? The club, which will remain unnamed, happens to have many of the victims of Derry O'Rourke and George Gibney among its membership. Last year they paid their affiliation fees to Swim Ireland, who refused them recognition because they won't sign up to and therefore support an organisation that they argue is not much different from the old IASA. It is a rather strange public relations exercise for a discredited sport like swimming that its governing body denies spokespersons for the victims of O'Rourke and Gibney their right to protest. The club are anxious to know two things: What is the Irish Sports Council going to do about it and why has Swim Ireland failed to implement many of the most important recommendations of the Murphy Report?

The aims of the club are simple - accountability, the appointment of a child protection officer, and counselling for victims.