GAA President Jarlath Burns has stated that he has no plans to retract the contents of an email sent to Naas GAA, despite the threat of legal action from Rory Gallagher.

Gallagher had been set to join the coaching team of the Kildare club’s senior football squad before the club announced that the former Fermanagh, Donegal, and Derry manager would not be taking up the role.

It later emerged that Burns had sent an email to Naas GAA ahead of a club executive meeting, after which the decision was made not to proceed with Gallagher’s appointment.

In response, Gallagher described Burns’ email as an “unprecedented move” and threatened legal action unless the contents were withdrawn.

Gallagher stepped back from his role as Derry manager in May 2023 following serious allegations about his private life. His former wife, Nicola, claimed on social media that she had been a victim of domestic violence during their marriage.

Speaking on the Late Late Show, Burns explained his reasons for sending the email, citing the GAA’s ‘Gamechanger’ initiative, which focuses on tackling gender-based violence.

Burns added that the final decision rested with Naas GAA and that there would have been no consequences had they chosen to proceed with Gallagher’s appointment.

“I made it clear when I became president that I wouldn’t be a hands-off president,” Burns told Patrick Kielty.

“I did take the opportunity to contact Naas and let them know the reservations that I had, given the values and principles that we have in the GAA, which are very important to us.

“One of them is underlined by the ‘Gamechanger’ initiative, which I launched on the 25th of November, 2024, shining a light on gender-based, domestic, and sexual violence.

“If Naas GAA had decided, ‘thank you for that advice but we’re not going to take it,’ that was me finished with them. Clubs organise themselves. We are the most democratic institution in Ireland.

“But I wouldn’t be true to myself, as the person whose number one job is to protect the values of the GAA, if I didn’t at least point out to somebody somewhere that I had reservations.

“Once they decided what they were going to do, that was none of my business anymore. But remember, that was a private correspondence that I entered into.”

Gallagher has maintained that all allegations against him have been investigated and that no charges were brought. He also highlighted the GAA’s decision in September 2023 to lift a ban on his participation in GAA activities.

“I categorically deny the allegations levelled against me. I have engaged with every procedure available to me. The PPS have issued two separate decisions finding that I have no case to answer. I have the full custody of my three children, and most importantly I engaged with the GAA’s own procedures which set aside my disbarment,” Gallagher stated.

“I have never asked for sympathy or support. I do however ask that this action is formally withdrawn and the contents of the correspondence is retracted. The President should lead by example and accept when he has overstepped the mark.”

When asked about the potential for legal action, Burns expressed hope that it would not escalate further but stood by his actions.

“I don’t bear any ill-will against anybody. I hope that he doesn’t (proceed with legal action). But I can’t retract anything I have said in good faith in a private email to a club. And I don’t say that with any sense of ebullience or determination or ‘bring it on.’

“This is a really tragic situation for a family.

“There is always a way back for people. The GAA is not interested in cancel culture. We have told Rory that as well. Rory is aware of the way back for him.”