Pat Hickey gets European Olympics chief’s backing to return home

Leading figures in the European Olympic movement have said there is no proof of the “horrible accusations” against former Olympic Council of Ireland president Pat Hickey and have called for him to be allowed to return to Ireland.

Pat Hickey gets European Olympics chief’s backing to return home

Mr Hickey has been forced to stay in Brazil since he was arrested on August 17, during the Rio Olympics, on charges allegedly related to ticket touting.

While freed from prison, he is not allowed to leave the South American country.

He has denied any wrongdoing, but has temporarily stepped down from all his Olympic positions pending a resolution of court proceedings. He was also president of the European Olympics Committee and is a member of the International Olympic Committee’s executive board.

At the 45th European Olympics Committee general assembly, acting head of the European Olympic Committees, Janez Kocijancic, said Mr Hickey should be allowed to leave Brazil and return to Ireland for health reasons.

He told delegates: “We have studied the allegations against Patrick Hickey and from what we know he is not guilty of any criminal offence, he should enjoy the privilege — which is also part of basic human rights — that he should be able to prove his innocence.”

He said Mr Hickey’s health is deteriorating, that he has heart problems, and doctors suggest that he should be treated in Ireland.

The Olympic Council of Ireland tweeted yesterday morning under its Team Ireland title:

It attached a picture taken at the EOC’s 45th general assembly in Belarus which bore a picture of Mr Hickey with the words: “Our warmest wish is that he can return to his family and his Olympic duties as soon as possible”.

The Belarus president, Alexander Lukashenko, who is also head of his country’s Olympic Committee, was quoted at the assembly as saying: “Unfortunately we do not have our EOC president Patrick Hickey with us here today. It is very important for him to feel our support and solidarity. There is no proof of any of these horrible accusations.”

Last month, after being charged by a judge with facilitating ticket touting, formation of a cartel and ambush or illicit marketing, Mr Hickey issued a statement in which he said he intended “to face all the charges and to fight each and every one of them”.

“I am completely innocent of all such charges and I will also vigorously defend my good name and character,” he said.

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Irish homelessness Government criticised for missing social and affordable housing targets
National Risk Assessment for Ireland Tánaiste urges Israel ‘to show humanity’ and allow more aid into Gaza
Lego set based on RNLI lifeboat could soon become a reality Lego set based on RNLI lifeboat could soon become a reality
War_map
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited