LIVE: Pat Hickey temporarily steps down as OCI president after Rio arrest; Shane Ross returning to Dublin
Olympic Council of Ireland interim president Willie O Brien has said the organisation "will defend ourselves to the hilt" after becoming embroiled in an international Olympics ticket touting scandal, .
The First President of the Irish sporting body at a hastily arranged press conference outside the Rio hospital where crisis-hit OCI official Pat Hickey is being treated for an alleged health issue.
On Wednesday night Mr O Brien was chosen as the replacement for Mr Hickey, who the OCI said has "temporarily" stepped aside from his long-held president role after being arrested in connection with a multi-million euro ticket scam.
On Wednesday morning, the controversial official was arrested at his five-star luxury Rio hotel by Brazil police and faces charges of facilitating ticket touting, forming a cartel and illicit marketing.
The claims relate to a complex scandal involving the THG and Pro 10 companies, and 781 OCI hospitality tickets which were in their possession and were allegedly being sold for up to 18 times their face value.
When confronted by police on Wednesday morning, Mr Hickey - who could be jailed for seven years if found guilty - said he felt unwell and cited a heart condition.
As such, he is currently undergoing tests in a Rio hospital.
However, despite what Brazilian police insist is substantial evidence relating to Mr Hickey, speaking outside the facility on Wednesday night his interim replacement Mr O Brien said the OCI will "defend ourselves to the hilt" our the claims.
Mr O Brien told reporters Mr Hickey would remain at the hospital for another 24 hours and that "nothing" will happen until then in relation to the case.
Despite facing questions, Mr O Brien declined to express an opinion on the scandal or to admit to any concerns over what has happened.
The Olympic Council of Ireland has released the following statement: "Mr Patrick Hickey has been admitted to Samaritano Hospital for investigation of chest pain.
"His condition is stable. In view of his previous cardiac history he will remain in hospital for a further 24 hours."
Pat Hickey has temporarily stepped down as president of the Olympics Council of Ireland following his arrest in Rio this morning.
A statement from the Olympics Council of Ireland tonight has said contrary to media reports “Mr Hickey complied fully with the terms of the warrant.”
“A warrant of arrest for OCI President Pat Hickey was issued this morning by Brazilian authorities. Contrary to reports, Mr Hickey complied fully with the terms of the warrant,” read the statement.
“Mr Hickey was taken ill as this warrant was served and was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.
“In light of this morning’s developments and his ill health, Mr Hickey has taken the decision to step aside temporarily as President of the OCI and all other Olympic functions (IOC member in Ireland, EOC President, ANOC Vice President) until this matter is fully resolved. Mr Hickey will of course continue to cooperate and assist with all ongoing enquiries.”
“This morning we arrested the president of the Olympic Council of Ireland at a hotel in Barra da Tijuca [near the Olympic Park], “ said Ronaldo Oliveira, the head of specialist operations at the Civil Police.
“Our detectives arrived at the hotel early,” Oliveira said. “We worked with the hotel. When we arrived at the room that was registered to him, we found only his wife, who was sleeping. She did not want to help his. She lied, saying that he had already gone home to Ireland,” he said.
“But we saw that his shoes, socks and his open suitcase was still in the room. We then found him in another room registered to his son. There were hardly any personal possessions in that room.”
“He is 71 and the doctor in the hotel said he was shaken. He was taken to hospital for tests before he will be released to police.”
“Hickey has been involved in the Olympics for more than 20 years and we believe he knew everything that went on,” Civil Police detective Aloysio Falcão added.
The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross has confirmed he will return to Dublin from Rio in the wake of the arrest of OCI president Pat Hickey.
In a statement Minster Ross said he’ll be “returning to Dublin as quickly as possible”
“Today, I learned from our ambassador here in Brazil that a second Irish citizen has been arrested in connection with the Brazilian authorities' investigation into alleged ticket touting,” read the statement from Ross.
“I understand that person has accepted consular assistance and our Consul General is engaging with him.
“Given the seriousness of this matter, and in the interests of taking swift and decisive action, I will be returning to Dublin as quickly as possible. I will immediately consult with my officials, with Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan, and with the Attorney General with a view to considering the options open to the Government and decide the best course of action.”
PRO10 Sports Management, which had the contract as the authorised ticket reseller (ATR) for Ireland in Brazil, said it has always acted properly and fully within the guidelines.
"The allegation that a portion of the OCI's family and friends tickets were being made available by PRO10 for general sale is utterly untrue and completely without any foundation," the company said.
The Civil Police in Rio claimed PRO10 was set up in April last year to secure the contract to sell tickets.
PRO10 described the
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Detectives in Rio have said that Mr Hickey is facing three charges of facilitating ticket touting, formation of a cartel and ambush or illicit marketing.
Mr Hickey could face up to seven years in jail if found guilty of those charges.
International Olympic Council (IOC) says it is trying to establish the facts and find out what’s happening in relation to Pat Hickey’s arrest.
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Mark Adams of the IOC says it will cooperate fully with any investigation but it must be remembered that people are innocent until proven guilty.
"We are still trying to establish the facts like the rest of you. We will of course be cooperating with any police inquiry should there be one," he said.
He confirmed that it concerns about 1,000 tickets of the 6 million tickets available for the Games.
He said he could not make any further comment in light of ongoing investigations.
Olympic President of Ireland Pat Hickey was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the irregular selling of tickets on the black market in Rio, Brazilian Police have said, writes Daniel McConnell.
Rio officers told a press conference in Rio today that they went to Mr Hickey's hotel in the Barra district of the city this morning, but Mr Hickey was not present in his room.
They said they were told by his wife that he had left for Ireland, but police discovered Mr Hickey in another room at the hotel - believed to be his son’s.
The believes that Rio's Civil Police Fraud Unit spearheaded the arrest of the 71-year-old, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Following the issuing of arrest warrants for four THG directors, Civil police in Rio said warrants have now been issued for the arrest of three directors of Pro 10; Michael Glynn, Ken Murray and Eamon Collins.
The act of arrest pic.twitter.com/Sd3K5c0OFl
— Jamil Chade (@JamilChade) August 17, 2016
The arrest of Mr Hickey took place at about 6am local time, which was 10am Irish time.
The press conference heard that at the time of his arrest, Mr Hickey complained of feeling unwell and cited an existing heart condition.
He was then seen and examined by a doctor.
It was decided that as a matter of precaution, given his age and his previous condition, that he be removed to been a nearby hospital in Barra.
At the press conference, Mr Hickey's passport, Olympic credentials and air ticket were presented to the media.
Police are also investigating the participation of the OCI with THG Sports. Irishman and THG employee Kevin Mallon was arrested almost 10 days ago in possession of almost 800 tickets, designated to the OCI.
Police detectives told reporters that evidence of e-mails and messages on Mr Hickey's phone are being investigated.
They say they have found evidence of communication between Mr Hickey and Marcus Evans on Mr Hickey's phone; THG Group is owned by the Marcus Evans Group.
Two people were arrested earlier this month in relation to allegations that Olympic tickets, earmarked for the OCI, were sold on the black market in Rio de Janeiro.
Rio city police this morning moved to "carry out an arrest warrant and search warrant against Patrick Joseph Hickey, from Ireland, a member of the International Olympic Committee," they said in a statement.
"He was arrested," a spokesman confirmed.
A Police press conference about Mr Hickey's arrest took place in Rio a short time ago.
Mr Hickey's passport and Olympic credentials were put on display before the assembled media.
Brazilian police have said there is evidence of email correspondence between Marcus Evans and Pat Hickey during Olympics.
Evans, 52, is the owner and chairman of English Championship side Ipswich Town and a director of THG Sports.
Fellow THG Sports director Kevin Mallon was arrested on August 5 in possession of almost 800 tickets and has been accused by police of seeking to sell them illegally on the black market, but THG has protested his innocence.
Brazilian Police have said they have evidence Mr Hickey was part of the scheme that saw OCI tickets for the games in the hands of THG.
This is the Sports Hospitality company of which Kevin Mallon was a director.
Rio police conference on Pat Hickey arrest - media here in numbers pic.twitter.com/qD8SVMYmLo
— Philip Bromwell (@philipbromwell) August 17, 2016
IOC says confiscation was a "mistake" and gives document back. pic.twitter.com/zrjw4Yekba
— Jamil Chade (@JamilChade) August 17, 2016
Press conference on Hickey arrest - officers speaking in Portuguese. Several references to Pat Hickey and Ireland pic.twitter.com/sIh3XLDLR4
— Philip Bromwell (@philipbromwell) August 17, 2016
The Department of Foreign Affairs has said it is aware of the arrest of an Irish citizen in Rio but cannot comment on individual cases.
Reacting to news of the arrest, however, Public Accounts Member and Fine Gael TD, Noel Rock, has said the OCI President's arrest is a
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The city's Civil Police confirmed officers had detained the sports chief more than a week on from the arrest of another Irish man in connection with the same inquiry.
There is a developing situation in Rio regarding the ticketing story. The OCI will only issue updated statements via its website.
— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) August 17, 2016
Shell shock here in Rio
— Shane Ross (@Ross_Shane1) August 17, 2016
Speaking from Rio, Sports Minister Shane Ross has confirmed that he was aware of the arrest, that he liaising with the Irish embassy and that he is monitoring events.
Brazilian police are to hold a press conference on Hickey's arrest at 1.30pm Irish time, according to media reports.
IOC withdrew my acreditation to have access to hotel where hickey was arrested. The pass was valid until 22.08 and given to me on 01.08
— Jamil Chade (@JamilChade) August 17, 2016
Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) President Pat Hickey has been arrested this morning, as part of the ongoing investigation into the irregular sale of tickets.
According to reports from Brazil, Mr Hickey has been arrested in Rio de Janeiro as the Hotel Windsor Marapendi hotel in Barra da Tijuca.
He is understood to be under investigation over his involvement in the irregular sale of Olympic tickets. The controversy broke almost 10 days ago when another Irishman, Kevin Mallon of the THG group, was arrested in possession of almost 800 tickets.
He has been accused by police of seeking to sell them illegally on the black market, but THG has protested his innocence.
Reports of Hickey's arrest came in Brazilian newspaper Estadao and has since been confirmed by several journalists based in Rio for the Games.
Further reports online have suggested that moments after his arrest Hickey complained of feeling ill and has been taken to a local hospital.
IOC member Hickey being taken to hospital after feeling sick at the moment he got arrested
— Jamil Chade (@JamilChade) August 17, 2016
Here, the Department of Transport said it was aware of the story of Mr Hickey’s arrest but that it had no official confirmation and would not be making any comment.
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross is in Rio and clashed with Mr Hickey earlier this week when the OCI refused Government calls for independent oversight on its inquiry into the ticket scandal.
— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) August 16, 2016
The OCI said they aware of the reports and will issue a statement on the matter shortly.
There has been no official statement yet from the Brazilian authorities so it is entirely possible that Hickey's arrest is a procedural stage as police continue their investigations into how Kevin Mallon, a finance director of sports hospitality company THG, was detained on August 5 with several hundred tickets for Olympic events, many of which came from the OCI's allocation for the Games.
