The Chair of Rowing Ireland has refused to apologise to athletes, including Kerry’s Monika Dukarska, for what he described as unacceptable experiences in their high performance programme.
Barry McWilliams was one of three Rowing Ireland representatives who came before an Oireachtas hearing today, along with representatives from Sport Ireland.
The meeting had been called following revelations in the Sunday Independent in November about allegations of mistreatment in the high performance programme over a number of years.
The Sunday Independent reported that Killorglin rower Monika Dukarska gave evidence in private to the Oireachtas committee last week, in which she alleged the environment was governed by fear and selected silence.
Rowing Ireland CEO Michelle Carpenter did not attend today's meeting, with Mr McWilliams saying she was unwell.
He did acknowledge that the athletes’ experience in the high performance programme was unacceptable.
This was his response to Fianna Fáil TD, Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere, asking for him to apologise to the athletes affected:
Chair of the Oireachtas Committee, Labour TD Alan Kelly, said Monika Dukarska showed bravery.
