George Gibney, the former coach for the Irish Olympic swimming team, is being returned to Ireland from the United States and may appear in a Dublin court as soon as Tuesday. He faces historical sexual abuse charges.
Police officers (Gardaí) were in Florida on Monday to initiate the process of extraditing the 77-year-old, following his consent to extradition from the US to Ireland earlier this month.
US Marshals arrested Mr. Gibney in Florida earlier this month.
He faces 78 charges of indecent assault and one charge of attempted rape. The alleged victims were between eight and about 15 years old at the time of the alleged offences.
His arrest followed renewed focus on allegations of abuse sparked by the 2020 BBC/Second Captains podcast “Where Is George Gibney,” leading new complainants to come forward.
Mr. Gibney founded the Trojan Swimming Club in Blackrock, Dublin, where he was also a swimming coach.
He served as a swimming coach for the Irish national team until 1991.
In 1993, he was charged with 27 counts of indecency and having carnal knowledge of girls under the age of 15.
In 1994, a judicial review halted the case due to the extended time since the alleged incidents.
In 1997, a new Gardai investigation opened after the emergence of fresh allegations against Gibney, but no prosecution resulted.
George Gibney has resided in the United States since 1995.
