Maeve Kyle and other athletes based in Ulster refused permission to compete at Santry.
Maeve Kyle, who represented Ireland in the last three Olympic Games and in three European Championships, was refused permission to compete in an international athletics meeting at Santry Stadium in Dublin.
Born in Kilkenny Maeve Kyle has been a member of the Dublin athletics club Crusaders. She is now living in Ballymena County Antrim and is the honorary treasurer of the Northern Ireland Women's Athletic Association. While on the starting line with other competitors, she was removed from the race by starter Jimmy Bruce.
Maeve Kyle spoke out strongly against the decision which forbid Northern Ireland athletes from taking part in the event which had been organised by Clonliffe Harriers. She says it is a sad day when someone who has always been happy to represent her own country is refused competition in her own country.
This is a sad day for Irish athletics.
Maeve Kyle had been invited to compete by promoter Billy Morton and was assured that she was entitled to participate. She remains at a loss as to why she was refused entry in the competition but she has been unofficially told that even if you were born in the Republic of Ireland but find yourself living in Northern Ireland, you are no longer eligible to take part as a member of the Irish team.
An emigrant nation as Ireland has always been has found many of our sons and daughters representing her in all sorts of spheres and has always been proud to have her represent her at home and abroad but apparently it's not going to happen any more.
The news comes as a blow to north-south relations as a dispute continues between the athletics body in the Republic of Ireland Bord Lúthchleas na Eireann and athletics organisations in Northern Ireland.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 24 July 1968.
