Hickey family urge Dublin to intervene over 'ordeal'

AFP News

26 August 2016 at 2:06 pm

Patrick Hickey has stepped aside temporarily as president of both the OCI and the European Olympic Committees, as well as the decision-making executive board of the IOC

International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Patrick Hickey (R) arrives at the police station after being arrested on allegations of taking part in a black market ticket ring, on August 18, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

International Olympic Committee member Patrick Hickey (C), leaves the Samaritano Barra Hospital in a wheelchair after being arrested on allegations of taking part in a black market ticket ring, on August 18, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The family of Patrick Hickey on Friday urged the Dublin government to intervene as the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) chief remains in custody in Brazil over an alleged ticket scam. Lawyers for his family urged Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan and Sports Minister Shane Ross to "urgently intervene in addressing the extremely worrying issues surrounding his arrest and detention". Hickey, 71, also head of the European Olympic Committees and an International Olympic Committee member, has been held in a Brazilian top security prison since police raided his Rio de Janeiro hotel on August 15 during the Olympics as part of their probe into the affair. He has temporarily stood down from his official roles. "Still no charges have been brought, nor has an appropriate venue for a bail application been made available to Pat Hickey," lawyer Anne Marie James said in a statement. She said the family were "gravely concerned" about the manner of Hickey's arrest, his detention in a high-security prison without charge, his health and his right to a fair hearing. Hickey's relatives want Flanagan and Ross to press their concerns to the Brazilian ambassador in Dublin. They claim he has been through a "degrading and humiliating ordeal". "He has a serious heart condition and they are extremely anxious that he would be immediately released on bail and given the opportunity to respond to the accusations," said James. "They also, as a priority, want to get him home to Ireland as they have increasing concerns about his safety." His family hope to meet with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny once the premier returns from his holiday. Meanwhile the OCI has appointed consultancy firm Grant Thornton to conduct an independent review of its handling of Rio 2016 ticketing arrangements. The review is expected to be completed by October 10 and will be given to the Irish state inquiry. "Submissions will be invited from athletes and their families on their experience of ticketing allocation and availability arrangements for Rio 2016", the OCI said. The review will look into the council's "policies, procedures, processes and practices... governing the receipt, distribution and sale of tickets" and governing accreditations. Brazilian police said they have uncovered evidence linking Hickey to a Rio Games ticket scam. Hickey and another suspect Kevin Mallon, arrested on August 5, are being held at Rio's Bangu 10 prison while arrest warrants had been issued for seven others. The scandal has been mounting since the arrest of Mallon, an Irish director of British hospitality firm THG. Police said they seized hundreds of tickets from Mallon, some of which had the OCI name on them. Tickets, including for the Rio opening ceremony with a face value of about $1,400 were offered for sale at $8,000.