A 30-year-old man has been arrested and released by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) as part of the ongoing investigation into an incident that took place during Armagh GAA's trip to Miami, Florida in November.
"Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of sexual assault and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, on Tuesday 10th December," a PSNI spokesperson said on Wednesday, December 11, according to the Irish Examiner.
"He has since been released on police bail pending further enquiries."
Patrick Higgins of Donnelly and Wall Solicitors said: "My client voluntarily presented himself to the PSNI yesterday to be interviewed.
"He co-operated fully with the PSNI in the initial stages of the investigation.
"He is innocent of all charges and vows to do everything in his power to clear his name."
The GAA told the Irish Examiner that it is "aware of a reported incident" and "are responding to serious allegations."
"We can confirm Armagh GAA is continuing to respond to this matter in collaboration with Ulster GAA, the GAA at Central Level and the PSNI," the GAA said.
"Out of respect for those involved and ongoing police enquiries, we are unable to comment any further at this time."
Meanwhile, The Irish News reported on Wednesday that a spokesperson for the Miami Beach Police Department said: “After conducting a thorough review of the limited information available, our records do not indicate that any incidents of sexual battery were reported at the Eden Roc Hotel during the period from November 13 to November 20."
The PSNI investigation was first reported by the Sunday World on December 8.
The report came after "unsubstantiated claims about the alleged incident have been widely circulated on social media in recent weeks," The Irish News noted on Sunday.
According to the Sunday World, the complaint was made by "one of the near-100 strong party" who traveled to Miami in November as part of Armagh GAA's celebrations for winning the 2024 GAA All Ireland Senior Football Championship this summer.
A complaint was lodged with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) after the group's return to Ireland, the Sunday World reported, adding that it is understood no complaint has been lodged in Florida.
Armagh received around £100,000 (about €120k / $127k) from GAA headquarters for the end-of-season holiday, which happens every year to the All-Ireland winners, the Sunday World reported.
The trip was additionally funded by fundraising carried out by clubs within Co Armagh.
The Armagh group - which included players, staff, wives, and girlfriends - flew from Dublin to Miami on November 13 and returned to Dublin on November 20. In Miami, the Armagh group stayed at the five-star Eden Roc hotel and attended a college football match and a basketball game.
Armagh GAA had been tight-lipped about the incident.
The news hit the headlines as members of Armagh GAA were in New York for a flashy fundraising trip.
On Monday, PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said he couldn't say much about the incident, adding: "We would wait to be approached by another jurisdiction for any help that we can offer them."
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