An application for a sports grant made by Cycling Ireland last year is being investigated, with the national governing body also dealing with Sport Ireland on the matter.
Members of Cycling Ireland were informed in an email message today that an investigation was underway and was being carried out by an unspecified external party.
That communication to members was made by Liam Collins, the newly elected president of the national governing body.
He told members while Cycling Ireland could offer no more detail on the matter, as an investigation was underway, it was anticipated the national media would report on it in coming days. Collins added the media coverage "was not likely to be positive".
"The board (of Cycling Ireland) is carefully managing the matter and taking both legal and professional communications advice," he said.
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"You will understand that it is not appropriate to go into any detail at this point, but we will be happy to provide an update once we are in a position to do so."
An application by Cycling Ireland for £400,000 from a Sport Northern Ireland Covid-19 fund earlier this year became contentious and the request was very significantly lowered when it was queried. However, stickybottle understands this is not the sport grant application now being investigated.
The application now being investigated was made in the Republic of Ireland. The inquiry was being carried out by an appropriately qualified external party, Cycling Ireland said.
However, Cycling Ireland has been engaging on the matter with Sport Ireland, a main funder of sports bodies in Ireland.
In reply to queries from stickybottle, a spokesperson from outside Cycling Ireland, but who is dealing with queries on behalf of the cycling governing body, confirmed "an investigation has been initiated arising from a sport grant application process in 2020".
The spokesman added: "The investigation is at an early stage. It is being undertaken by an appropriately qualified external party, in order to protect the interests of Cycling Ireland, its members and stakeholders. It is not appropriate to comment further on matters that are the subject of due process.”
