Rory Gallagher steps back as Derry GAA manager

Rory Gallagher was due to lead Derry into this Sunday's Ulster Senior Football Championship final against Armagh

Derry senior men's Gaelic football manager Rory Gallagher has said he is stepping back from the role with immediate effect.

It comes after "serious allegations" made by his wife in a social media post earlier this week.

Nicola Gallagher alleged she suffered domestic abuse over a 24-year period.

In a statement, Mr Gallagher said: "This decision is borne out of a desire to protect my children from the ongoing turmoil."

"They will always be my priority," he added.

On Thursday, Mr Gallagher, who previously managed Donegal and Fermanagh, said that allegations against him had been "investigated and dealt with by the relevant authorities".

He was due to lead Derry into the Ulster Senior Championship Final on Sunday against Armagh.

Derry GAA said Ciaran Meenagh will now take on the role of senior football manager.

What were the allegations?

In a lengthy social media post, Nicola Gallagher claimed that domestic abuse occurred before and during her marriage.

"Blocking it out was easier than admitting what was happening," she wrote.

After outlining a catalogue of alleged beatings, Ms Gallagher, who is from Belleek, County Fermanagh, concluded: "Silence nearly killed me."

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said on Thursday it investigated two separate incidents and issued files to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

The PPS has said it received two investigation files from the PSNI in January and June 2022, and that all available evidence was considered in line with the PPS code for prosecution.

It said it was determined there was insufficient evidence to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction for any offence in relation to any individual.

The PPS said the decisions not to prosecute were issued in January and September last year.

What was the response?

In a statement on Thursday, Mr Gallagher referred to "a social media post by my estranged wife Nicola Gallagher in which she has made a number of very serious allegations against me".

He said: "Those closest to our family are well aware of the reasons for the breakdown of our marriage and the continued issues we have faced since that time."

Mr Gallagher added: "Allegations against me have been investigated and dealt with by the relevant authorities."

On Thursday, Ulster GAA addressed the issue of domestic abuse "in light of recent events".

It said: "While we cannot comment or make judgement on any specific allegation or allegations, Ulster GAA does not condone any form of domestic violence."

The provincial GAA administrative body added: "We encourage and support anyone who has been a victim of such abuse not to suffer in silence but to avail of the statutory and voluntary support services that are available in the community."

In a brief statement, the Derry GAA county board said: "Derry GAA condemns all forms of domestic violence.

"We encourage anyone who had experienced domestic violence to report it to the relevant authorities immediately."

BBC News NI requested a comment from the sponsors of Derry GAA, the construction company Errigal.

The company declined our request.