Former Irish swimming coach George Gibney arrested in US
George Gibney left Ireland more than 30 years ago
- Published
The former Irish national swimming coach George Gibney has been arrested in the United States.
Mr Gibney is wanted in the Republic of Ireland to face more than 50 historical sexual abuse charges.
He left Ireland more than 30 years ago and has not been back since.
He was arrested in Florida on Tuesday afternoon by US Marshals on foot of an Irish extradition warrant, according to Irish broadcaster RTÉ, external.
He is being detained pending a court appearance in the US. He can decide whether to accede or contest his extradition.
In a statement to BBC News NI, An Garda Síochána (Irish police) said it is "aware of the arrest of a male aged in his 70s in the United States on foot of an Irish international arrest warrant".
"As this is currently a matter for the US authorities, An Garda Síochána will not be commenting further at this time."
RTÉ is reporting that gardaí reopened an investigation into Mr Gibney after a number of people made allegations against him on the BBC podcast Where is George Gibney five years ago.
The criminal investigation was commenced in 2020 by a specialist team within the Garda National Protective Services Bureau. A file was sent to the Director for Public Prosecutions (DPP) three years later.
The DPP examined the file and recommended that Mr Gibney be charged with more than 50 alleged offences.
RTÉ also reported that An Garda Síochána secured an extradition warrant in the High Court seeking Mr Gibney's extradition. Gardaí have been working with US authorities for more than six months.
Mr Gibney was a coach at Trojan swimming club in Dublin.
He was also a former Irish national swimming coach.