GAA President Jarlath Burns has said he has no intention of retracting the contents of an email he sent to Naas GAA, despite the threat of legal action from Rory Gallagher.
Gallagher was set to be included on the coaching set-up of the Kildare club's senior football team before the club announced this month that the former Fermanagh, Donegal and Derry manager would not be joining them.
It subsequently emerged that Burns had sent Naas an email ahead of a club executive meeting, following which the decision was taken not to hire Gallagher.
In a statement, Gallagher described Burns' email as an "unprecedented move" and threatened legal action if Burns did not withdraw the contents of the letter.
Gallagher stepped back from his role as Derry manager in May 2023 following serious allegations regarding his private life.
In a social media posting, Gallagher's former wife Nicola claimed she had been the victim of domestic violence over a period of years during their marriage.
Speaking on the Late Late Show this evening, Burns outlined his reasons for writing the letter, citing the association's 'Gamechanger' initiative on tackling gender-based violence.
Burns stressed that it was ultimately Naas' decision on whether to proceed with the appointment of Gallagher or not and there would have been no repercussions had they chosen to ignore his advice.
"I made it clear when I became president that I wouldn't be a hands-off president," Burns told presenter Patrick Kielty.
"I did take the opportunity to contact Naas and let them know the reservations that I had. Given the values and principles that we have in the GAA, which are very important to us.
"One of them is underlined by the 'Gamechanger' initiative, which I launched on the 25th of November, 2024, which really shone a light on the area of gender-based, domestic and sexual violence.
"If Naas GAA had decided, 'thank you for that advice but we're not going to take it', that was me finished with them (that correspondence).
"As you know, clubs organise themselves. We are the most democratic institution in Ireland.
"But I wouldn't be true to myself, as the person whose number one job is to protect the values of the GAA, if I didn't at least point out to somebody somewhere that I had reservations.
"Once they decided what they were going to do, that was none of my business anymore. But remember, that was a private correspondence that I entered into."
Gallagher stated following Burns' email that any allegations against him had been investigated and no charges were brought.
He again denied all allegations and highlighted how the GAA had revoked their own ban against him taking part in GAA activities in September 2023.
He was last year coaching Monaghan club Corduff, a role he is expected to continue in 2025.
"I categorically deny the allegations levelled against me. I have engaged with every procedure available to me. The PPS have issued two separate decisions finding that I have no case to answer. I have the full custody of my three children, and most importantly I engaged with the GAA's own procedures which set aside my disbarment," he stated this month, calling on Burns to retract his statement.
"I have never asked for sympathy or support. I do however ask that this action is formally withdrawn and the contents of the correspondence is retracted. The President should lead by example and accept when he has overstepped the mark."
When asked about the the threat of legal action, Burns said he hoped it would not come to that but that he could not retract the contents of the email.
"I don't bear any ill-will against anybody. I hope that he doesn't (proceed with legal action).
"But I can't retract anything I have said in good faith in a private email to a club. And I don't say that with any sense of ebullience or determination or 'bring it on'.
"This is a really tragic situation for a family.
"There is always a way back for people. The GAA is not interested in cancel culture.
"We have told Rory that as well. Rory is aware of the way back for him."
