PSNI confirms investigation into alleged incident among Armagh All-Ireland squad in US

Report made regarding incident believed to have occurred while team was on celebratory holiday

epa07261133 (FILE) - Northern Ireland's PSNI crest outside Antrim police station in Antrim, Northern Ireland, 02 May 2014 (reissued 04 January 2019). British media reports on 04 January 2019 state Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI has asked up to 1,000 officers to be deployed in Northern Ireland as a reinforcement in case of a no-deal Brexit. Authorities fear violence could occur if a hard border will be established between EU member Ireland and Northern Ireland.  EPA/PAUL MCERLANE
PSNI is investigating an alleged incident concerning members of the Armagh All-Ireland winning squad abroad. Photograph: Paul Mcerlane/EPA

Northern Ireland’s most senior police officer has said they will “wait to be approached” by US authorities over an alleged incident involving Armagh GAA in Florida.

PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boucher also urged people to stop speculating about the matter following a “huge amount reporting on social media”.

A group of around 100 people travelled to Miami last month to celebrate Armagh’s All-Ireland victory against Galway in July.

Both Armagh GAA and The Ulster Council have been contacted for comment.

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Mr Boucher made his comments at a cross-border policing event in Co Cavan on Monday, 24 hours after the PSNI confirmed that it was investigating a report it had received regarding an incident “which is believed to have occurred in the United States in November”.

“There’s nothing I can really say about this incident,” Mr Boucher told RTÉ.

“That is something that we would be working with other jurisdictions if they approach us. I want to be really careful.”

Asked about how the investigation will proceed in the North, given that the alleged incident took place in the US, Mr Boucher said: “We would wait to be approached by another jurisdiction for any help that we can offer them.

“I’m not going to talk about this particular incident and what has happened with regards to that. Let’s just get on with doing what we do. I know there’s a huge amount of reporting on social media.

“I’d really ask people to stop speculating about this incident out of respect, actually for anybody who may have made any allegation.”

The Armagh GAA squad’s All-Ireland Senior Football Championship win was its second in 21 years..

Jack White

Jack White

Jack White is a reporter for The Irish Times

Seanín Graham

Seanín Graham

Seanín Graham is Northern Correspondent of The Irish Times