The Irish Amateur Boxing Association has told an Oireachtas committee that its board had concerns over the costs associated with retaining the services of Billy Walsh as the head of the association's high performance unit, going so far as to describe the brokering of such a deal as "reckless or irresponsible".
Appearing before the Joint Committee on Transport and Communication, IABA chairman Joe Christle also said amateur boxing's governing body believed that an agreement had been reached with Walsh, who resigned last week and has since taken up a position as women's coach with USA Boxing.
Sport Ireland chief executive John Treacy disputed the IABA's assertion that Walsh departed over financial issues.
Walsh left Ireland last week following lengthy and failed contract negotiations with the IABA and was pictured attending the American Olympic team trials in Memphis over the weekend.
The IABA was represented at the committee hearing by Christie, president Pat Ryan, chief executive Fergal Carruth and director Ciaran Kirwan, while Treacy and chairman Kieran Mulvey have been advancing the views of Sport Ireland.
In his opening statement, Christle said negotiations aimed at keeping the coach in Ireland were unsuccessful and it was a matter of huge regret that Walsh had resigned.
He said the projected cost of the multi-year contract to the IABA was €1.6 million, which would create a long-term liability for the association and that such a path would have been "irresponsible".
While asserting that he could stand over his efforts and those of his directors, Christie also conceded that an independent inquiry may prove the best way to vindicate the organisation.
The AIBA’s financial prudence in the matter will have confused many, particularly as Christle admitted that: "The IABA was not in a position to make any contribution towards funding."
Indeed, it had already been established that financial backing for the deal would be provided entirely by the Irish Sports Council.
IABA director Ciaran Kirwin said that there was a clause in Walsh's contract that allowed terms and conditions to change.
He said that while rarely invoked by employers, such a clause would be "standard".
Kirwan was also keen to pour cold water on any suggestions that an improved deal for Walsh would have led to other figures in the IABA seeking improved financial packages.
"The directors, just for absolute clarity, receive no remuneration whatsoever, nor do we claim any expenses," Kirwan stated.
Christle echoed those words, adding: "Fergal Carruth has put himself on the record with everybody that, even if there was a review, he feels that he is adequately paid."
Treacy insisted that the fractures between the IABA High Performance Unit and the rest of the association must be addressed once and for all.
He queried the absence of a board decision from the IABA over Walsh's contract and opined that questions had arisen in terms of governance and operations.
Treacy added that Sport Ireland would work closely with the IABA in the next year to ensure no boxer intending on going to Rio would be compromised by recent events. .
Senator Paschal Mooney accused the IABA of failing to act in the national interest in relation to the debacle surrounding Walsh’s departure and likened the affair to an act of “national sabotage”.
Addressing the IABA’s chief executive and chairman, he said: “People have called outside that you might consider your position."
