London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, May 31, 2025

Derry manager’s wife says GAA knew of abuse claims

Derry manager’s wife says GAA knew of abuse claims

The estranged wife of ex-Derry senior football manager Rory Gallagher has claimed the GAA was aware of domestic abuse allegations "but did nothing".

Mr Gallagher stepped aside from his role earlier this week, following a post on social media by Nicola Gallagher.

It detailed serious allegations of domestic abuse over a 24 year period.

Ms Gallagher told the Sunday Independent her father emailed Derry management last year with the claims.

The newspaper said it had seen the email sent by Gerry Rooney on 25 May 2022.

The family said they did not receive a response to the email.

"The GAA knew about all of this, 100%, and the county boards of Fermanagh and Derry knew - because we told them," Ms Gallagher told the newspaper.

"There were senior members of the GAA who knew what was going on, there are incidents that took place at GAA events. It was a well known fact."

She went on to say she felt let down by "all these institutions", including the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

Derry GAA said it was seeking clarification on the email Ms Gallagher said her father sent to its management.

BBC News NI has contacted the GAA and Fermanagh GAA in response to her comments in the Sunday Independent.


Ulster final


On Thursday, Mr Gallagher, who previously managed Donegal and Fermanagh, said that allegations against him had been "investigated and dealt with by the relevant authorities".

He said: "Those closest to our family are well aware of the reasons for the breakdown of our marriage and the continued issues we have faced since that time."

He was due to lead Derry into the Ulster Senior Championship Final on Sunday against Armagh.

On Friday, he stepped aside from his position.

In a statement, he said: "This decision is borne out of a desire to protect my children from the ongoing turmoil."

"They will always be my priority," he added.

Ciaran Meenagh, who took charge as Derry defeated Armagh on penalties, said after the match that it had been a "challenging week for everybody" but his main focus was on football.

On Thursday, Ulster GAA addressed the issue of domestic abuse "in light of recent events".

It said: "While we cannot comment or make judgement on any specific allegation or allegations, Ulster GAA does not condone any form of domestic violence."

In a brief statement, the Derry GAA county board said: "Derry GAA condemns all forms of domestic violence.

"We encourage anyone who had experienced domestic violence to report it to the relevant authorities immediately."

Rory Gallagher said the allegations had been investigated and dealt with by the relevant authorities


No charges after investigation


Ms Gallagher's interview criticised the PSNI for her treatment at a police station in Enniskillen after she made her initial complaint.

"I asked for a female officer and I got a male. I was already nervous enough. Then when the PPS rejected by case, I felt hopeless."

On Sunday, the PSNI said it investigated a number of reported incidents and files were submitted to the PPS.

Ch Insp Heather Campbell, from the Public Protection Branch (PPB), said police "takes all allegations of violence and harassment against women seriously and we work alongside partners to help keep all women safe".

She added that PPB has specially trained domestic abuse officers "who strive to protect victims, prosecute offenders and prevent re-offending".

The PPS has said it received two investigation files from the PSNI in January and June 2022, and that all available evidence was considered in line with the PPS code for prosecution.

It added it was determined there was insufficient evidence to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction for any offence in relation to any individual.

The PPS said the decisions not to prosecute were issued in January and September last year.

A spokesperson said on Sunday: "The PPS takes cases of domestic violence and abuse extremely seriously, and we are committed to prosecuting all such cases where the evidence allows us to do so, in strict accordance with the PPS Code for Prosecutors.

"We are aware of comments made by Mrs Gallagher in the media. We will contact Mrs Gallagher to discuss her concerns."


'I got really afraid'


In a lengthy social media post, Nicola Gallagher claimed that domestic abuse occurred before and during her marriage.

"Blocking it out was easier than admitting what was happening," she wrote.

After outlining a catalogue of alleged beatings, Ms Gallagher, who is from Belleek, County Fermanagh, concluded: "Silence nearly killed me."

Nicola Gallagher told the Sunday Independent her decision to post the allegations on social media was difficult.

"I sat for ages looking at it on my computer. I kept thinking, 'Will I do it or will I not?' What impact will this have on my children? I had a tightness in my chest, I got really afraid…and then I hit 'post.'"

Asked about what would have happened had she not posted on social media she said, "I would be dead, one hundred per cent. I needed to do it - it was my last resort."

She told the newspaper she also felt let down by the Western Health and Social Care Trust.

The Trust told BBC News NI it would not provide comment on an individual for confidentiality and privacy reasons, but added issues can be raised through its complaints system, the Patients' Advocate Office.

Ms Gallagher also alleged some of the incidents had happened in the Republic of Ireland and the gardai (Irish police) were aware.

The gardai said they would not comment on individual cases.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Justice Department Reduces American Bar Association's Role in Judicial Nominations
U.S. Department of Energy Unveils 'Doudna' Supercomputer to Advance AI Research
U.S. SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Amid Regulatory Shift
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
U.S. Goods Imports Plunge Nearly 20% Amid Tariff Disruptions
OpenAI Faces Competition from Cheaper AI Rivals
Foreign Tax Provision in U.S. Budget Bill Alarms Investors
Trump Accuses China of Violating Trade Agreement
Gerry Adams Wins Libel Case Against BBC
Russia Accuses Serbia of Supplying Arms to Ukraine
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
Chinese Woman Dies After Being Forced to Visit Bank Despite Critical Illness
President Trump Grants Full Pardons to Reality TV Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley
Texas Enacts App Store Accountability Act Mandating Age Verification
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Vatican Calls for Sustainable Tourism in 2025 Message
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on iPhones Amid Dispute with Apple CEO
Putin's Helicopter Reportedly Targeted by Ukrainian Drones
Liverpool Car Ramming Incident Leaves Multiple Injured
Australia Faces Immigration Debate Following Labor Party Victory
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
Macron Dismisses Viral Video of Wife's Gesture as Playful Banter
Cleveland Clinic Study Questions Effectiveness of Recent Flu Vaccine
Netanyahu Accuses Starmer of Siding with Hamas
Junior Doctors Threaten Strike Over 4% Pay Offer
Labour MPs Urge Chancellor to Tax Wealthy Over Cutting Welfare
Publication of UK Child Poverty Strategy Delayed Until Autumn
France Detains UK Fishing Vessel Amid Post-Brexit Tensions
Calls Grow to Resume Syrian Asylum Claims in UK
Nigel Farage Pledges to Reinstate Winter Fuel Payments
Boris and Carrie Johnson Welcome Daughter Poppy
×