Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 0521Sexual abuse · Co. Dublin

Former FAI coach in 60s arrested over historical sexual abuse of women players

Eamonn Collins, a former FAI football coach in his 60s, is alleged to have sexually abused female players about three decades ago, in the 1990s. The allegations came to light through the 2024 Girls in Green documentary by RTÉ and the Sunday Independent. On Saturday 25 July 2026 Collins was arrested in Dublin by Garda National Protective Services Bureau officers and detained at a Dublin Garda station, and he was released late that day. A file is being prepared for the DPP, and no charge has been reported.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested26 Jul
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Eamonn Collins, a former FAI football coach in his 60s, was arrested over alleged historical sexual abuse of female players.
When
  • The alleged abuse is said to have taken place about three decades ago, in the 1990s.
  • Collins was arrested on Saturday 25 July 2026.
Cause
The inquiry followed the Girls in Green documentary, produced in July 2024 by RTÉ and the Sunday Independent, in which a number of women spoke out.
Where
He was arrested in Dublin and detained at a Dublin Garda station.
Investigation
  • The Garda National Protective Services Bureau is conducting the investigation, which covers alleged historical sexual abuse involving a national sporting organisation.
  • One source says the allegations relate to the Ladies Football Association of Ireland; the Irish Times says they involve a national sporting organisation and male coaches of women's teams.
  • Gardaí said Collins was released from detention late on 25 July 2026.
Charges
No charge has been reported.
Other details
  • A file is being prepared for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
  • The coaches involved denied any wrongdoing in responses to the 2024 Girls in Green investigation.
  • The FAI set up a national reporting helpline after the Girls in Green investigation and said it will continue to support An Garda Síochána.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA former FAI coach was arrested by gardaí investigating allegations of historical sexual abuse of women players. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe man was released and a file is being prepared for the DPP. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe man is a former football coach in his 60s. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatFormer FAI coach Eamonn Collins was arrested as part of an investigation into alleged historical sexual abuse of female players. (rte.ie)
  • whereHe was detained at a Garda station in the Dublin area. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereCollins was arrested in Dublin. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe arrest took place on Saturday, 25 July 2026. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe alleged abuse is said to have happened about three decades ago. (rte.ie)
  • causeThe inquiry was sparked by the Girls in Green documentary produced in July 2024 by the Sunday Independent and RTÉ. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe Garda National Protective Services Bureau is conducting the investigation into historical sexual abuse involving a national sporting organisation during the 1990s. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe investigation followed a joint investigation by RTÉ and the Sunday Independent. (rte.ie)
  • investigationA number of women spoke out on the RTÉ Investigates programme Girls in Green. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe man was released from detention late the day before the report. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe coaches involved had all denied any wrongdoing in responses to the 2024 Girls in Green investigation. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe FAI set up a national reporting helpline following the Girls in Green investigation. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA file will be prepared for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe Football Association of Ireland said it will continue to support An Garda Síochána in its ongoing investigation. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 26 Jul2026
    Otherrte.ie, first report
    Man released after arrest over alleged historic abuse

    Reports the arrest of former FAI coach Eamonn Collins, his release from detention, and that a file goes to the DPP. No charge is reported.

    suspect, Eamonn Collins, named, irish (judged from name)Eamonn Collins
  2. 26 Jul2026
    Arrestedirishtimes.com, first report
    Former FAI coach (60s) arrested in investigation into historical sexual abuse of women players

    First report of the arrest; the man is unnamed, was detained at a Dublin Garda station and released with a file to be prepared for the DPP. The investigation was prompted by the 2024 Girls in Green documentary.

    suspect, 60s, male