Police in Rio released emails sent between Town owner Marcus Evans and arrested Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) president Pat Hickey at a press conference last night as their investigations into the alleged selling of Olympics tickets at prices significantly above their face value continues.
In one of the emails dated August 3rd, two days prior to the opening ceremony, Hickey wrote to Evans: "I can confirm to you now that I do not require any of the opening or closing ceremony tickets that was part of our NOC [National Olympic Committee] allocation. You can use them all. Best regards. Pat.”
As part of the same exchange Hickey said: "We have tickets left that Pro 10 don’t want so before we get rid of them have you any use for them?”
Blues owner Evans responded that he had "more than I need as well, so all we can do is put back on portal for hopeful resell”.
Police say Hickey’s fellow OCI officials John Delaney, who as well as being an OCI vice-president is the chief executive of the FAI, and Willie O’Brien, currently the acting president with Hickey having temporarily stood down after his arrest, were copied in.
Police, who seized Hickey’s phone and computer after his arrest last Wednesday, also issued emails sent between the pair from 2010, while they say they have evidence of contact between the pair regarding the arrest of THG director, Kevin Mallon, on August 5th, which triggered the current investigation.
Emails between Pat Hickey and Marcus Evans showed to press in Rio police station pic.twitter.com/CGrC7g9EpG– Sinead O'Carroll (@SineadOCarroll) August 23, 2016
Evans’s THG company was the OCI’s Authorised Ticket Reseller (ATR) at the 2012 London Games and at Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics.
However, although the OCI reportedly wanted THG to continue in the role at this summer’s Games the Rio organisers blocked their involvement. Instead another recently-formed company, Pro 10, whose directors include Daryl Murphy’s agent Eamonn Collins, were appointed the ATR. Police allege that Pro 10 was set up to be a link between THG and the OCI.
THG and Pro 10 have both repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and have welcomed the setting up of an independent inquiry by Irish sports minister Shane Ross, who is expected to outline its terms of reference today.
A specialised money-laundering unit is being forwarded documents relating to the case as police try to establish a financial link between those alleged to be involved.
The Brazilian police have previously said they have issued a warrant for the arrest of Evans and three other THG directors - something Town managing director Ian Milne has said he understands is not the case - while on Sunday a judge approved the seizing of passports belonging to six people with OCI connections, including Delaney who did not travel to Rio.
Warrants have also been issued for the arrest of Collins and the two other Pro 10 directors.
Hickey, who is currently sharing a cell with Mallon at Bangu 10 Prison, is yet to be charged and is not expected to appear in court until Friday at the earliest.