Update 4.30pm:The Sports Minister Shane Ross has said he expects Pat Hickey to fully co-operate with the state inquiry into alleged ticket touting, and has no plans to meet him.
“We’ve set up our own inquiry and really can’t make any comment about (Mr Hickey’s bail). It’s obviously a humanitarian decision and is to be taken in that context,” he said.
Earlier:
The Olympic Council of Ireland has denied reports that it will pay Pat Hickey’s bail bond of €400,000.
A spokesperson for the OCI has said: “The OCI will not be paying Mr Hickey’s bond.”
The 71-year-old is set to return to Ireland after a Brazilian judge ruled his passport can be returned for medical reasons.
While the judge noted there was a risk the former President of the OCI would not return to Brazil, she said she had to balance this with concerns for his health.
Mr Hickey has always maintained his innocence in relation to alleged ticket touting at this year’s Olympic Games in Rio.
The OCI is currently covering all of Mr Hickey’s legal costs as mandated within the body’s constitution. Payment of the fees depends on Mr Hickey being found innocent.
The OCI has reportedly set aside €500,000 to cover Mr Hickey’s legal costs.
