Earlier today, the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) said it will “co-operate fully” with any State inquiry into its handling of ticketing arrangements for the Rio Olympics.
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The Rio police force says the legal team for Patrick Hickey of the International Olympic Committee unsuccessfully claimed that the Irishman was being illegally detained following his early-morning arrest at his hotel Wednesday. Patrick Hickey, head of the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) was also arrested at his hotel in Rio de Janeiro.
He was admitted to hospital with chest pains after his arrest, but was discharged on Thursday and on Friday was sent to Brazil’s Bangu maximum security prison, a penitentiary complex which houses some of Brazil’s most risky inmates.
Mr Ross also said he was “stonewalled” and “absolutely shattered” by Mr Hickey’s previous refusal to appoint an independent member to the inquiry.
“Mr Hickey will of course continue to co-operate and assist with all ongoing inquiries”.
But he complained of heart problems and spent time in hospital before being taken to a police station for questioning on Thursday night.
Pat Hickey was rushed to hospital after being arrested.
“We have agreed to establish a non-statutory inquiry to be carried out by a retired judge”, he said.
THG Sports called for an independent probe in order to clear the company of any suggestion of wrongdoing.
Hickey has temporarily resigned his position with the Irish Olympic Committee, as well as other positions with the European Olympic Committees and the Association of National Olympic Committees.
Mr Hickey was wheeled from a hospital in Rio de Janeiro last night and taken by auto to a police station to be quizzed about the accusations.
Some Irish tickets for the Olympics’ opening ceremony with a face value of $1400 were sold for $8000, police said.
Bangu is one of Brazil’s most notorious prisons.
It was reported in the Brazilian media that Hickey’s arrest is in connection with that of countryman Kevin Mallon, who is alleged to have passed OCI tickets to THG Sports.
An IOC spokesman said at the time: “The International Olympic Committee has been informed by the Olympic Council of Ireland that allegations have been made against its president Mr Patrick Hickey in relation to facilitating the selling of tickets above face value”.
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THG did not have a permit to sell Irish Olympic tickets for the Rio Games.
