Sir, – Martin Fagan’s plight is another stark reminder of how the mishandling of the country’s finances have a very real human impact in Ireland (Ian O’Riordan, Sport, January 16th). In 2011, Irish Sports Council funding for our top athletes dropped from €2.6m to €1.95m. For those with Olympic ambitions this was a cruel blow, a year before the London games. Martin Fagan, who had represented us in Beijing in 2008 was left high and dry receiving no grant at all.
None of us can condone his desperate actions, and while he must suffer the consequences of those actions, let’s not ignore the fact that he was left terribly isolated by those who should have been supporting him.
Blame doesn’t lie with the Sports Council, it can’t give out money it does not have. When we tune in to watch the events in London this summer, we will be struck by how the country’s financial predicament has led to very few athletes in Irish vests for us to support. For a nation of sport lovers, that will be very sad indeed.
Very best wishes to Martin Fagan for the future. – Yours, etc,