An Irish international athlete is being investigated by gardai after six men claimed he sexually abused them as children.
The alleged attacks are said to have occurred while the man, who now lives in Spain, was training youngsters here in the 80s and early 90s.
Gardai have taken statements from a number of people in relation to the complaints, including a prominent senior republican.
The suspect is well-known in the Irish athletics circuit and has represented Ireland a number of times at the height of his career.
Detectives plan to question him when he returns home from Spain. A source told the Irish Mirror that many more people are expected to come forward.
The source added: “There have been six people so far who have come forward and the way it’s looking now, there could well be the same again, if not more.
“Gardai take any accusation of rape very seriously. But they don’t need to be getting involved in an extradition case.
“They want to talk to him as soon as possible. At the moment, these are just accusations. It’s a case where nobody wanted to come forward at the start but the second a couple of people came forward then a number of people started to tell similar stories.”
Gardai are not worried that the man would be able to move to a country that does not have an extradition policy with Ireland.
European authorities will alert officers to any movement if requested.
The source added: “It’s a case where gardai are confident this man will return to Ireland in a number of months.
“He is expected to come back in the autumn to visit family and friends.”
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