Rory Gallagher launches High Court case against GAA after intervention in Naas appointment

Rory Gallagher has formally initiated a High Court action against the GAA and its president, Jarlath Burns, as well as Ard Stiúrthóir Tom Ryan. The former Derry GAA manager is seeking damages from the men claiming they and the GAA have prevented clubs from hiring him. A plenary summons, outlining a claim for damages, was lodged with the High Court in the last few days.

The Fermanagh-native was reportedly set to be appointed coach of Kildare champions Naas in January, but the club announced that it was not going ahead after reports broke. The role has since been filled by Philly McMahon. It was later revealed that GAA president Jarlath Burns, and a significant amount of club members, had emailed Naas GAA to intervene regarding the potential appointment of Gallagher.

Gallagher stepped down as Derry manager following domestic abuse allegations made by his estranged wife, Nicola Gallagher, in May 2023. The Police Service of Northern Ireland investigated the allegations, and forwarded two files to Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in 2022, but no charges were brought.

The PPS said in a statement at that time: “It was determined that there was insufficient evidence to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction for any offence in relation to any individual.”

In a statement in January to the Irish Independent, Gallagher described the GAA President’s actions as “unprecedented” and “an effort to sabotage my potential appointment”.

“With great power comes great responsibility. Mr Burns’ actions are premised on a misguided and self-serving compulsion to share his concern,” Gallagher said.

He added: “By Mr Burns’ own admission, his motivation is the ‘controversy’ surrounding my ‘personal life’ that ‘has created division’. These words should be a matter of concern to not just me and my family, but to every GAA member.

“It seems that social media commentary and controversy now equates to a licence for presidential intervention.”

Gallagher threatened to take legal action at the time to “cure the irreparable damage done to me and my family” if the GAA President did not formally retract his communication with the club.

Burns later said he would not retract his communications with the club and defended his email, claiming he would continue to have a hands-on approach to his role and added that Naas GAA would have always had the final decision to appoint Gallagher to the role or not, and that there would not have been any repercussions had they chosen to not follow his advice.

Naas crowned Féile Peile na nÓg Division 1 football champions