Investigation launched as GAA club complain members told not to speak Irish during a match
Na Piarsaigh GAA Club in Connemara have made a complaint to the Galway County Board, claiming their players and officials were told to stop speaking Irish during a Junior Championship game.
The Gaeltacht club were playing Salthill Knocknacarra in the Junior A Football Championship West at the weekend and have said that the referee was unhappy that their players and mentors were communicating in Irish.
The club claimed that he told a club official not to speak to the team in Irish during the match.
The Irish Times report that some of the club officials had volunteered to assist the referee with officiating during the game, as he arrived alone.
Last night, Galway County Board Secretary John Hynes confirmed to RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta that an investigation was underway.
He said he expected the investigation into the complaint to be concluded within a fortnight. To “actively support the Irish language and Irish culture” is listed as one of the aims of the GAA.
Na Piarsigh have issued a statement to say they will not make any further comment while the investigation is ongoing.
