Police must have been working behind the scenes for some time on this alleged ticket-touting operation before it all was brought to the full glare of public attention.
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Hickey, the former top European official at the International Olympic Committee, was arrested in Brazil last week on charges that he took part in illegal ticket sales for the Rio Games, which ended on Sunday. O’Brien and O’Riley have already returned to Ireland.
In addition to Mr Hickey, at least three other members of the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) are suspected of involvement in the illegal sales, police said: executive director Stephen Martin, secretary-general Dermot Henihan and treasurer Kevin Kilty.
Among the communications police said they found between Hickey and executives of THG Sports, an global sports hospitality company, were e-mails with Mr Marcus Evans, the British businessman whose namesake company controls THG. The men remain in Brazil and their passports were seized by police on Sunday.
Tuesday’s press conference was held after OCI official Dermot Henihan arrived at a Rio police station for questioning.
Rio police say they have found evidence of a link between former Olympic Council of Ireland President Pat Hickey and THG owner Marcus Evans.
He has denied any wrongdoing.
Hickey is now sharing a cell in Bangu 10 Prison with THG director Kevin Mallon, who was arrested on August 5th in possession of OCI tickets, which should only be distributed through approved ticket reseller Pro10. The scenes from his arrest were nearly like something out of a Keystone Cops farce with the police having to go to two separate rooms in the hotel where Pat Hickey was staying.
Warrants for the arrest of four others were issued including Marcus Evans, a British businessman who is also the chairman of Ipswich football club in England.
Mr Hickey remains in custody in a Rio prison awaiting a court appearance on the allegations being made by investigators – but it was confirmed yesterday 800 cases are waiting to be heard as the courts were in recess during the Olympics and his case is just one of them.
The Social Democrats want the investigation to focus on ticket distributor selection and transparency.
THG’s bid to be the official Irish ticket vendor for the event had been rejected by Olympic organisers in 2015.
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THG has said the seized tickets were being held legally on behalf of PRO10.
