This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8048473.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
GAA boss 'took £30,000 payment' GAA boss 'took £30,000 payment'
(30 minutes later)
A top GAA figure has stood over controversial claims that unofficial payments of £30,000 were made to an Ulster county manager.A top GAA figure has stood over controversial claims that unofficial payments of £30,000 were made to an Ulster county manager.
Paraic Duffy, GAA director general, said the "biggest single most difficult issue" facing the body was "under-the-counter payments" to football managers.Paraic Duffy, GAA director general, said the "biggest single most difficult issue" facing the body was "under-the-counter payments" to football managers.
Speaking at an event in Dublin, he claimed a "well-known mercenary manager" had been paid £30,000.Speaking at an event in Dublin, he claimed a "well-known mercenary manager" had been paid £30,000.
He said payments were not from the GAA, but from two well-known businessmen.He said payments were not from the GAA, but from two well-known businessmen.
The GAA is an amateur sports body and members are not supposed to receive any payment other than expenses.The GAA is an amateur sports body and members are not supposed to receive any payment other than expenses.
GAA spokesman Fergal McGill said Mr Duffy stood over the remarks but the story related to an incident several years ago and did not involve any manager currently involved with an inter-county team.GAA spokesman Fergal McGill said Mr Duffy stood over the remarks but the story related to an incident several years ago and did not involve any manager currently involved with an inter-county team.
"It is most important to note that the director general was not saying that anyone in the GAA had paid a manager £30,000 - it was two private businessmen, outside of the association, who were alleged to have been financing the manager in question," he said."It is most important to note that the director general was not saying that anyone in the GAA had paid a manager £30,000 - it was two private businessmen, outside of the association, who were alleged to have been financing the manager in question," he said.
'No suggestion' Paraic Duffy said the cash was paid to a well-known county manager
"This is a very important distinction."This is a very important distinction.
"Furthermore, and just to be absolutely clear, there is no suggestion whatsoever that any of the current managers of Ulster counties were being referred to in this anecdote.""Furthermore, and just to be absolutely clear, there is no suggestion whatsoever that any of the current managers of Ulster counties were being referred to in this anecdote."
Mr Duffy said a remark by the director general that Ulster counties were the biggest culprits, had "been taken completely out of context".Mr Duffy said a remark by the director general that Ulster counties were the biggest culprits, had "been taken completely out of context".
He said the comment had been made in the context of opposition to the Irish government's player grants scheme and alluded to "the ironic fact" that the most stringent opposition to the scheme had come from within Ulster.He said the comment had been made in the context of opposition to the Irish government's player grants scheme and alluded to "the ironic fact" that the most stringent opposition to the scheme had come from within Ulster.
The player grants scheme, which pays elite inter-county players up to 2400 euro a year, has been divisive. Critics have said it threatens the organisation's amateur ethos.The player grants scheme, which pays elite inter-county players up to 2400 euro a year, has been divisive. Critics have said it threatens the organisation's amateur ethos.
Mr McGill said: "There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that some managers in the province are being recompensed in a manner that may not be in keeping with the GAA's rules on amateur status and is in excess of the expense allowances provided for managers," Mr McGill said.Mr McGill said: "There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that some managers in the province are being recompensed in a manner that may not be in keeping with the GAA's rules on amateur status and is in excess of the expense allowances provided for managers," Mr McGill said.
"The problem of manager's receiving payments in excess of that allowed for under expense payments is one for the association generally and there is absolutely nothing to suggest that the problem is more acute in any particular county or province.""The problem of manager's receiving payments in excess of that allowed for under expense payments is one for the association generally and there is absolutely nothing to suggest that the problem is more acute in any particular county or province."