Former Derry manager Rory Gallagher has threatened to take legal action against the president of the GAA, Jarlath Burns, if he does not retract an email sent to Naas GAA.
Last year, the 46-year-old resigned as Derry manager ahead of the 2023 Ulster final after his estranged wife, Nicola, accused him of domestic abuse. While the PSNI conducted an investigation, no charges were filed.
Gallagher also successfully contested a temporary barring order issued against him by the Ulster Council. The Disputes Resolution Authority ruled that the province’s decision “was not disproportionate on the facts of the case.”
This week, it was reported that Burns was set to take up a role with Joe Murphy’s management team at Naas. However, after public backlash and an email from Burns outlining his concerns, the Naas GAA Executive reversed their decision to appoint Gallagher.
In the email, published by The Irish Times, Burns stated: “The appointment of Rory Gallagher, given the allegations that have been made public, risks undermining the principles of the Game Changer Initiative and the positive work being done across the GAA.
Rory Gallagher accuses GAA president Jarlath Burns of trying to sabotage his career after he intervened in his potential appointment at Naas GAA and threatens legal action https://t.co/oJtMZSe2at
— BBC News NI (@BBCNewsNI) January 9, 2025
"The controversy surrounding his personal life has created significant division and concern within the wider GAA community. Such a decision by Naas GAA could have far-reaching consequences.”
Following this email, Gallagher released a statement denying all allegations and claiming that Burns had overstepped his authority, despite the matter being addressed by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).
"I categorically deny the allegations levelled against me. I have engaged with every procedure available to me. The PPS has issued two separate decisions finding that I have no case to answer. I have full custody of my three children, and most importantly, I engaged with the GAA's own procedures, which set aside my disbarment," Gallagher stated today via RTÉ Sport.
"Despite having engaged with due process and procedure, it seems clear that the president has now opted to take matters into his own hands.”
In the same statement, Gallagher indicated that legal action would follow if Burns did not retract the email sent to Naas GAA.
"I have never asked for sympathy or support. I do, however, ask that this action be formally withdrawn and the contents of the correspondence retracted. The President should lead by example and accept when he has overstepped the mark.
"Absent such a retraction, I will have no alternative but to take legal action to address the irreparable damage done to me and my family and to my ability to continue working as a manager in the years ahead."
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