Mr Justice Carroll Moran given 12 weeks for Olympic tickets inquiry

Former High Court judge Mr Justice Carroll Moran will chair the inquiry into the Olympic Council of Ireland ticket allocation.

Mr Justice Carroll Moran given 12 weeks for Olympic tickets inquiry

Update 8.25pm: The Olympic Council of Ireland have released the following statement:

"The OCI welcomes the appointment of Judge Carroll Moran to lead the State inquiry into the distribution of tickets at the Rio Olympics and other related matters. The OCI also notes the inquiry's terms of reference.

"An international accountancy firm will be appointed before the weekend by the OCI to conduct a review of the ticketing arrangements for the Rio Games.

"Earlier this week a data security firm (Espion) was appointed by the OCI to secure, copy and seal the OCI server and all OCI electronic data. All of the retrieved data will be reviewed by the soon to be appointed accountancy firm as part of its review. The findings of this review will be given to Judge Moran to be examined as part of his inquiry.

"In media interviews today Mr Brendan Howlin T.D. stated that he was unsure if Article 32 of the OCI Articles of Association prevented the OCI from cooperating with the State inquiry. The OCI's legal advice is that there is no impediment whatsoever to the OCI cooperating fully with the inquiry and it intends to do so."

Earlier:Former High Court judge Mr Justice Carroll Moran will chair the inquiry into the Olympic Council of Ireland ticket allocation.

The scope of his investigation will go as far back as the 2012 Games but he can look beyond that if he wishes.

The Sports Minister Shane Ross confirmed the appointment this afternoon, along with the terms of reference for the inquiry.

The inquiry will look to establish the "policies, procedure, processes and practices" adopted by the Olympic Council of Ireland governing the "receipt, distribution and sale of tickets" allocated by the International Olympics Committee for both Summer and Winter Olympics.

Justice Carroll Moran has been given 12 weeks to conduct the inquiry.

Opposition leaders have criticised the format of the inquiry because it lacks the power to compel people to cooperate.

However, Minister for Sport Shane Ross said he was happy with this course of action and would consider a full commission of inquiry if needed.

"We're absolutely satisfied this is the appropriate approach," he said. "It leaves open the possibility of a statutory inquiry if the judge finds that necessary.

"The Opposition parties have been extremely helpful. They've made some very constructive suggestions and we've included them."

Meanwhile, investigations are also continuing in Brazil with arrested OCI President Pat Hickey detained in Bangu prison in Rio and two other OCI officials due to voluntarily present themselves for questioning tomorrow.

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