Gibney has consented to extradition
Former Irish national swimming coach, George Gibney, has consented to extradition to Ireland after being arrested by US Marshalls in Florida last week over alleged historical sexual abuse.
Gibney, who is facing 79 sex crime charges – 78 of indecent assault and one of attempted rape – remains in custody in the US, but his decision to waive an extradition hearing is another major breakthrough in the case against him.
Gibney, 77, is now likely to appear before a Dublin court in the coming months.
In 1993, Gibney, who ran the Trojan swim club in Blackrock, had 27 charges put against him over indecency towards underage swimmers, but after his legal team halted the prosecution, he fled to Scotland and then to the USA.
Gibney, who trained the likes of Irish Olympian Gary O’Toole, faces a court appearance where he can agree or contest his extradition.
His case had been reopened following the release of the investigative BBC podcast, Where is George Gibney, which led to over a dozen new alleged victims coming forward.
Last year, the DPP ruled that he should face the historical charges, allowing for the extradition request.
The Gardaí have been working closely with US forces for six months.
