O'Tooles honoured for courageous fight
AIDAN, KAYE AND GARRY GET SPECIAL AWARD FOR THEIR WORK IN EXPOSING CHILD ABUSE
Wednesday March 03 2010
BRAY'S Gary O'Toole and his parents Aidan and Kaye O'Toole were given a special award recently for their work in exposing child abuse.
Swimming star Gary O'Toole opened a can of worms in 1991 when he exposed George Gibney, former Irish and Olympic swimcoach.
He and his father Aidan went to the offices of the Irish Amateur Swimming Association 19 years ago to tell them that a colleague of Gary's was being sexually abused by a coach.
The O'Tooles were ignored. But they were so disturbed by what they had heard that they began their own investigation, and slowly the awful tales of abuse emerged one after another.
Aidan, who was recently present in a Wexford Court for the conviction of former Irish Olympic coach Ger Doyle said that he was 'amazed and sur-
prised,' when his son revealed the terrible secret that had plagued him for months during the height of his swimming career.
They were all presented with awards at Bewley's Hotel, Sandyford during a function organised by One Child International which exposes child abuse in Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.
Gary, along with his parents Aidan and Kaye, received recognition for their continuing role in supporting victims and revealing abuse.
The awards are presented once a year for outstanding work in child welfare and this was the first time people in Ireland were acknowledged in this way.
