Mayo GAA row set to rumble on over €250,000 lying in US account
THE row between the Mayo GAA Board and the Mayo GAA International Supporters Foundation is set to continue for another while at least.
The board chairman, Mike Conneely, has sed no further comments would be forthcoming on the issue until delegates discussed the matter at a meeting on Monday night next from which the press has been excluded.
On the advice of their legal team, the board will be making no further comments in relation to the issues which had been raised in a letter to the Mayo Board last month from Mr. Tim O' Leary, chairman of the New York Foundaiton.
Mr. O'Leary raised queries in relation to governance issues within the board, which referred specifically to how a sum of €150,000 donated by the foundation to the Mayo board last year was being spent.
Mr. Conneely said the problems between the board and foundation had been a matter for much media speculation, particularly through various emails that have been appearing in print and on social media.
On legal advice they have been advised not to comment further.
The board has issued a statement which has been sent to the Mayo GAA Internattonal Supporters Foundation secretary, Heather Blond, and has also been circulated to every GAA club secretary in Mayo.
That statement was read at last night's county board meeting by Mayo GAA secretary, Dermot Butler, in which most of the issues raised in the original letter from Mr. O'Leary concerning governance were addressed.
The letter stated the board look forward to the receipt of the €250,000 which is lying in the accounts of the foundation now since last May and were the proceeds of the gala banquet organised by the foundaiton as a fundraiser for the Mayo GAA on the visit by the Mayo team to the Big Apple for the first round of the Connaught championship last May
That money was subsequently withheld by the foundation which sent a letter to the board requesting a breakdown of how a sum of €150,000 donated to the board in 2018 was being spent.
It was Mr. O'Leary's dissatisfaction with the response from the board which led to the witholding of the €250,000.
In another to twist to last night night's meeting a man, who failed to identify himself other than saying he was an observer from New York, was asked to leave the meeting (which he did) as only club delegates were entitled to be present.
It is understood he was there on behalf of the Mayo International Supporters Foundation as an observer
The board will now meet next Monday night at 7 30 p.m., at MacHale Park with club delegates asked to read the statement made by the board and, in the words of the chairman, there would be a 'heart to heart open meeting about this issue of governance.'
The media have been excluded from Monday night's meeting.
LETTER TO FOUNDATION
The following in the Mayo County Board's response, sighed by Dermot Butler, secretary, to a letter dated 24th September 2019 from Mayo GAA International Supporters Foundation. It is addressed to Heather Bond, secretary of the foundation.
Dear Heather,
Hereunder is the response from Mayo GAA Board to the letter that was received by the Secretary of the Board on Saturday 28th of September 2019 from the above named Foundation.
The response is given using the paragraph headings from your letter.
Background.
It is acknowledged that Mr O’Leary made a donation of €150,000 to Mayo GAA in 2018. It is acknowledged in the paragraph that receipts were furnished to Mr. O’Leary. The County Board stands over its explanation of how the monies were spent.
Academy
There is as yet no final plans for the academy as the project is at an early stage. The plans need to be approved by the County Board in line with the National Strategy.
Centre of Excellence
Plans to develop grounds for a Centre of Excellence at Lough Lannagh are delayed due to environmental issues.
Worldwide Mayo Supporters Club
Mayo GAA Board are delighted to have the assistance of such a supporters network provided that there is a clear understanding that all funds raised are under the umbrella of Cairde Maigh Eo.
As you will be aware Mayo GAA Board has one fundraising arm and that is Cairde Maigh Eo. Ultimate control of monies raised remains with Mayo GAA County Board. The letter under response refers to the Academy, Centre of Excellence and general player welfare and development and these align seamlessly with the aims of Mayo GAA.
It is worth repeating, however that any monies raised in the name of Mayo GAA must remain under the control of Mayo GAA County Board.
Gala Ball New York
The Mayo GAA County Board does not dispute most of this paragraph but some clarification is needed.
The terms as set out in the letter of the 9th of April as referred to in the paragraph are broadly agreeable to Mayo GAA.
However there is no mention in that letter of who has ultimate control of the monies raised in the name of Mayo GAA. It was made abundantly clear to Mr. O’Leary that monies raised in the name of Mayo GAA must remain within the control of Mayo
GAA Co Board
The monies paid to the strategic partners referred to in the letter was done in the context of the overall organisation of the event and not at the behest of the County Board.
The County Board acknowledge the payment of the bill for the training camp at Rocklands.
There was no request from Mayo GAA Board to send the money on.
Recent Developments
There was no request from Mayo GAA to release the monies.
There was no commitment from Mayo GAA County Board to provide 10 tickets for the Gala Auction. The County Board committed to providing two tickets and these were provided.
Donors
The County Board acknowledges receipt of €150,000 from Mr. O’Leary. No other monies were received from Mr. O’Leary or the Foundation.
The County Board acknowledges spending by the Foundation as outlined in the paragraph headed Gala Ball New York.
Conclusion
The County Board looks forward to the receipt of €250,000 raised on behalf of Mayo GAA County Board by the Foundation.
Is Mise le Meas,
Diarmúid dé Buitléir