Boxer thrown off Games team launches legal bid
A CHAMPION boxer has launched a High Court bid to be reinstated to Northern Ireland’s Commonwealth Games team.
Conor Wallace is seeking an injunction aimed at reversing the decision to drop him from the squad of athletes set to compete in Australia next month.
Proceedings were adjourned after his lawyers revealed alternative attempts to find a resolution were also to be explored.
The Newry fighter was deselected by the NI Commonwealth Games Council last week. At the time police said they were investigating a complaint against a 21-year-old from the Newry area.
Mr Wallace denies any wrongdoing and has not been arrested or questioned.
An Ulster light-heavyweight amateur champion, he gained further recognition after working with UFC superstar Conor McGregor at a 2016 training camp in America.
His legal team have issued proceedings against the Council and the Irish Athletic Boxing Association. With members of the Northern Ireland team due to begin travelling to the Gold Coast this week, they are seeking an injunction against the decision to drop him.
But barrister Ronan Lavery told the court yesterday they also want to exhaust other resolution options.
He disclosed that a retired senior judge would chair a mediation/arbitration process next Wednesday.
“The difficulty in this case is that the deselection was presented as a fait accompli,” Mr Lavery said.
Lawyers for both the NI Commonwealth Games Council and the Irish Athletic Boxing Association confirmed their willingness to participate in any alternative resolution hearing.
Mr Justice Maguire told them he wanted to know if the outcome to any arbitration would be accepted as binding, rather than just a prelude to ongoing litigation.
“You can’t just have a situation of going through the motions before the real battle in this court,” he stressed.
Adjourning the hearing, the judge said he wanted to be informed of the parties’ definitive position before the mediation takes place.