Ger Doyle

In 2005 reports of misconduct began to emerge.^[3]

Doyle's trial lasted for six days.^[4]

In 2010, Doyle was convicted of 35 counts of indecent and sexual assault on five children aged between ten and fifteen over a period of twelve years between 1981 and 1993.^[2][4] He received a 6+1⁄2-year prison sentence.^[2][4] The judge described "a complete absence of insight or remorse".^[4] There was applause in court as Doyle was led away and survivors of other swimming abuses welcomed the sentence.^[5]

One incident described Doyle as having removed a boy's trousers to smack his bottom and touch him.^[4] Another child suffered from bouts of anger and another had regular panic attacks.^[4] The abuse took place in his office in New Ross.^[3] Only one of the five was in court for Doyle's sentencing.^[5] Doyle maintained his innocence.^[3]

He was the second Olympic swimming coach convicted of such crimes in Ireland, following Derry O'Rourke. George Gibney was charged but not convicted. ^[3] The Irish Times criticised the sport as a whole for inadequately protecting children, noting that Doyle was allowed to share a hotel room with an 18-year-old male swimmer in 2002 during the British Youth Championships in Sheffield, even though the rules did not permit Michelle Smith to share a room with her fiancé and future husband Erik de Bruin.^[6] Doyle attended a child welfare course operated by the Irish Sports Council in 2004, at which time no criticisms were raised.^[6]

Both Doyle's parents are dead.^[4] He resided with his sister in Wexford prior to being convicted of sexual assault.^[3][4] He did not have a criminal record prior to this.^[4]