Man arrested over alleged historic sexual abuse at FAI

Gardaí investigating allegations of historical sexual abuse at the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) three decades ago have arrested former coach Eamonn Collins.

He was arrested in Dublin this morning by officers from the Garda National Protective Services Bureau.

The investigation commenced following a joint investigation by RTÉ and the Sunday Independent.

A number of women spoke out on the RTÉ Investigates programme "Girls in Green" which was broadcast two years ago and made allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

The allegations were also detailed in the Sunday Independent newspaper.

In a written statement issued by his solicitors in 2024, Mr Collins said he "emphatically and unreservedly denies any improper relationship or conduct by him while he was involved as a coach on a football training course in west county Dublin that commenced in 1996, which is more than 25 years ago".

The FAI subsequently met the women and issued a public apology.

The Garda National Protective Services Bureau, which specialises in cases of sexual abuse, coercion and domestic violence, commenced a criminal investigation and detectives arrested Mr Collins this morning.

He is currently being detained at a garda station in Dublin and can be questioned for up to 24 hours.

In a statement, Garda Headquarters confirmed the arrest and detention of a man as part of a Garda National Protective Services Bureau investigation into allegations of historical sexual abuse involving a national sporting organisation in the 1990s.