Rory Gallagher has permanently left his role as Derry football manager, the county board confirmed on Tuesday evening.
Serious allegations were made against Gallagher by his ex-wife Nicola Gallagher, who accused Mr Gallagher of domestic violence against her during their relationship.
In a statement on Tuesday night, Derry GAA confirmed that Gallagher had resigned as manager. Their statement read:
Derry GAA can today confirm that Rory Gallagher has stepped down as the county's senior football manage.r
Ciaran Meenagh will assume the role for the rest of the 2023 season.
Derry GAA will be making no further comment at this time.
Gallagher initially stepped "back" from his role as Derry manager ahead of Sunday's Ulster senior football final against Armagh, saying:
I have advised Derry GAA that I am stepping back as Derry Senior football Manager with immediate effect. This decision is borne out of a desire to protect my children from the ongoing turmoil. They will always be my priority.
In the aftermath of the accusations against Rory Gallagher being shared to social media last week, Gallagher had released a statement in which he said that the allegations had been "investigated and dealt with by the relevant authorities."
In an interview with the Sunday Independent last weekend, Nicola Gallagher spoke about the accusations against her ex-husband, stating that her family had sent correspondence to Derry GAA on the matter in May of 2022.
The PSNI confirmed that they had been notified of several incidents in relation to the allegations against Mr Gallagher. After the cases were submitted to Northern Ireland's Public Prosection Service, the PPS decided not to prosecute due to "insufficient evidence to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction."
The week since the allegations came to light saw several major figures calling for Gallagher to resign, with SDLP MLA Cara Hunter and former Derry players speaking out on the matter.
Ciaran Meenagh will now take charge of the Derry footballers for the remainder of the 2023 intercounty season. Meenagh took charge for Derry's victory in the Ulster football final on Sunday. The county next play against Monaghan in the All-Ireland football championship on Saturday May 27th.
