GAA president reveals online abuse of Mayo players which led to them moving house

It was an extraordinary board meeting on Monday night.

GAA president Jarlath Burns and director general Tom Ryan were both in attendance for a Mayo GAA board meeting on Monday evening in Westport, with the county in the midst of allegations about their financial situation.

The gathering began with chairman Seamus Tuohy revealing why the meeting was called. Tuohy said it was to address a campaign of abuse by a small group of individuals, where they have sent threatening and abusive emails to members of the county board.

Social media posts with false accusations, along with inaccurate and defamatory articles, about officers on the board were also a part of the campaign. The chairman also revealed some of the specific allegations on their finances.

Tuohy said: “...the individuals behind this campaign have also published a series of blatant false and inaccurate claims online relating to the financial arrangements of Mayo county and indeed GAA headquarters and Croke Park.

“Let me be very clear at this point. The claims published online over recent weeks about Mayo’s finances are utter nonsense.”

Burns told the county board that he believes the level of toxic activity has crossed the line, revealing a toxic email he received.

Burns said: "I received an email saying 'are you aware that there are five members of the Mayo senior football panel living in Dublin in an area where it is not laid out for residential use? I am reporting those five players to Dublin City Council.'

'Lo and behold, they were reported and put out of it. Had to move.

"Five players from your clubs, you have to ask yourself what is the mentality of someone who would do that? Is that person for Mayo GAA? What is their agenda?

"Why would you be so vicious as to want to do that to five of your county men who are living in Dublin and the county just wants to ensure they are living in good comfortable quarters with plenty of nutrition."

He added: "The people reporting back to these people are also in this room. That is the worrying part of it. All I am going to ask you to do is to reflect."