From Aidan O'Toole

Last week the Sunday Tribune printed a letter from Swim Ireland in relation to my article regarding the conviction of yet another paedophile in Irish swimming. The coach concerned was Ger Doyle and he was found guilty on 35 charges at Wexford District Court on 4 November 2009.

I was contacted by your paper and asked if I would be interested in writing the articles printed on the 1 and 8 November. I had no hesitation, as it was the Sunday Tribune who bravely exposed George Gibney and this resulted in the unearthing of four more paedophiles in swimming. I don't want to portray myself as a trouble maker or as a publicity seeker. However, I am entitled to my opinion and views which I stand by.

If you read the recently launched book Deep Deception by Justine McCarthy, my views have been steadfast since 1993. At that time I also indicated that swimming would be a better and safer sport in the future, despite the setbacks and revelations. The elimination of five paedophiles from the sport has proved this. Plus parents playing a more active role and awareness by all parties have made this possible. I would also like to thank and congratulate the gardaí for their invaluable part in the pursuance of justice over the years.

Over a period of 16 years, I have had no contact with swimming officials until two weeks ago when their letter writer, Philip Fitzpatrick, contacted me and said he was sending me a letter and that I should read it with an open mind. He also indicated that he was sending a similar letter to the Sunday Tribune. However, in the letter to your paper, these significant paragraphs were omitted from his letter:

"We also recognise the courage and spirit of all the victims, and particularly those who found the resolve to face up to their abusers. It is a credit to you and others such as your son Gary, Chalkie White and the Nolans – Bart Senior and Junior – that you have never wavered from the cause of seeking justice for those victims. It is a matter of regret for me and my colleagues on the board that your efforts were not always treated with the response and the commitment that they merited.

"In that regard the administration of swimming has changed greatly in recent years and we wanted to make that point to you in good faith as comments attributed to you in recent media reports would suggest that you are not familiar with the changes that have been achieved.

"Aidan, we fully appreciate that swimming in Ireland has done very little to earn your respect over most of the past two decades. We honestly believe, however, that it is now changing rapidly and that a new culture of care and support is fast becoming the norm, as it should be, within which all of those in swimming – young and old – can partake safely, enjoyably and to the limits of their potential."

I find it strange and baffling that on one hand they are praising Bart Nolan for his commitment yet only a couple of months ago Bart was evicted from the office at the Aquatic Centre. What sort of respect is this for a man who has campaigned tirelessly for victims over many years and deserves a lot better? Surely this does not concur with their new culture of care and support?

Regarding child protection, Swim Ireland claims to be a leader among its peer sports organisations and one of the two organisations with a full-time child protection officer. They omitted to say that the position was recommended by the Murphy report and funded by the government. Also, this is not something to boast about, particularly considering swimming's record for convicted paedophiles far exceeds all other sports in this country. I would also like to know where the full-time child protection person was on the day of the verdict of the Doyle trial. Surely the support and comforting for the victims should have been a priority and paramount on the day in question.

Personally I was furious when I heard on all news bulletins up to five o'clock on the day of the verdict that Swim Ireland was unavailable for comment. Hence my remarks and comments in the Sunday Tribune article on 8 November.

The main focus of my articles was to alert participants in all sports that paedophilia is a problem and can occur in other areas and vigilance is preventative, but not conclusive. As a lover of all sports, some things have to be said and highlighted for the betterment of all sports in this country.

Aidan O'Toole

(Former Irish Swimming Selector)

From (name withheld)

I was astonished to read the chairman of Swim Ireland's letter in the Sunday Tribune last week. While I acknowledge that Swim Ireland have put some guidelines in place for the amateur swimming clubs around the country, as an officer of a Dublin swimming club, it simply isn't enough to safeguard against pedophilia. He mentioned that Swim Ireland have a full-time child liaison officer in place but how can this position be full-time when this same person carries out other functions such as the administration of membership to Swim Ireland for the whole of Ireland?

Having been involved in swimming for 30 years I have yet to see an unannounced visit from the national children's officer and any other club that have been asked have not received a visit either. To publish a letter with such inaccuracies does not comfort those that have been affected by the pedophilia within swimming; it is simply a slap in the face.

Having guidelines in place is a step forward but monitoring and ensuring adherence to these guidelines surely must be the responsibility of Swim Ireland. We cannot leave the protection of children to the goodwill of volunteers at local swimming clubs. People working in a voluntary position cannot be held accountable. Garda vetting is all very well in theory and will look well for the association if there is another court case. But what is the point when there is no follow up from the association if a club doesn't adhere to the guidelines?

So if the association genuinely wants to improve things, it must spend less on publicity and employ independent inspectors to do these unannounced checks at early morning swimming sessions and other times of the day. Otherwise they are leaving themselves wide open for history repeating itself.

Name and Address with Editor