IABA chief says he is considering options over position

The president of the Irish Athletic Boxing Association has said that stepping aside or resigning from his position are options, as he faces a charge that he sexually assaulted a woman in 2009 or 2010.

Gerry O’Mahony, 66, from the Abbeyside area of Co Waterford, is denying the charge which arises from an alleged incident in Co Waterford.

The case is due to go to trial before Waterford Circuit Court on 2 July having previously been mentioned at the local district court last year and at the circuit court in May.

Speaking to RTÉ News, Mr O’Mahony indicated that he will be pleading not guilty to the charge.

Asked what he intends to do about his position as president of the IABA, he said: “Maybe I should step to one side, temporarily. That is an option. That is a consideration. I could resign. That would be another option. I’m open to suggestions, I suppose.”

In relation to the court case, he said “the law will take its course, I can’t really comment on the court case.”

Asked if he intends to travel to the Olympic Games in Paris with the boxing section of the Irish team, he said: “The Olympics is a bit off yet. I don’t know… I’ve never been to the Olympics. I’m not in boxing for that.”

He said he has not been in touch with Olympic Ireland in relation to the court case. “I don’t know why I should be.”

Mr O’Mahony is not currently an accredited member of the Olympic Ireland delegation to the Paris games.

In a statement, the IABA said Mr O’Mahony has volunteered to step aside from discharging the duties of the president of the organisation, pending the resolution of those matters.