More women have come forward in recent days to speak to RTÉ and the Sunday Independent about negative experiences in Irish soccer, according to journalist Marie Crowe speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's Brendan O’Connor Show.
Ms Crowe and Mark Tighe of the Sunday Independent have been jointly investigating the issue for more than two years. The culmination of their work is due to be broadcast in a major documentary 'RTÉ Investigates: Girls in Green’ on RTÉ One television at 9.30pm on Sunday, and detailed in a multi-page special report in the Sunday Independent.
The joint investigation interviewed dozens of female former players. Several have spoken on camera about their experiences of alleged inappropriate sexual advances made by male coaches.
On Thursday and Friday, news stories about details relating to the investigation were published by both RTÉ and Independent.ie, and followed up extensively by other outlets.
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Speaking to Brendan O’Connor, Ms Crowe and Mr Tighe said the coverage has already prompted other women to get in touch.
"Yesterday we were getting emails from women who want to tell their story, who want to back the women up as well - recognising the bravery of these women, just people wanting to support them," Ms Crowe said.
Mr Tighe said the investigation in part relates to the experiences of women who attended a training course about three decades ago "which was state funded in part, or in large part."
At the time "some [were] under 18, some adolescents, a little bit older..." Mr Tighe said.
"We were tracking them down... and what was really surprising was when we eventually got to talk to them, some would burst into tears and go, ‘oh, my God, I knew this day would come.’"
"And some others would say - what was almost universal - was that they would say ‘I thought I was the only one.’"
