Ireland Sport Minister Questions Hickey's Refusal To Appear Before Committee

Ireland Minister for Sport Shane Ross questioned why the man at the center of the Olympic ticketing scandal "refused to appear before a powerful oversight committee," according to the PA. Ross said that it was "inconsistent" that former Olympic Council of Ireland President Pat Hickey answered questions to the media but "failed to discuss his involvement in alleged illegal ticket sales" with the Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism & Sport. The committee met on Thursday to discuss the Justice Moran Report into ticketing at the Rio Olympic Games. Hickey claimed there were "inaccuracies" in the report. Ross said that it "would have been useful" for Hickey to explain his claims to the committee. Ross: "I respect the right of anybody not to self-incriminate, but I find it somewhat inconsistent to be able to go and answer questions to the media and not be able to come here. He did say there were inaccuracies in the report, which I don't accept" (PA, 8/17).