Former Mayo League chairman considers legal action after suspension

 Former chairman considering legal action after suspension

Edwin McGreal

FORMER Mayo League Chairman Padraig McHale is considering taking legal action after being suspended from the League last week.
Clubs were informed via an e-mail from Mayo League Secretary John Durkan last week that ‘Padraig McHale is suspended from the League Management Committee (LMC) and all activities within the Mayo Football League’.
However, Mr McHale, who served as League Chairman from 2010 until March of this year, has subsequently taken legal advice.
Speaking to The Mayo News last night (Monday), McHale said: “I categorically deny any wrongdoing. I’ve broken and am in breach of no rules of the Mayo League and the statements and accusations made about me are now in the hands of my solicitor.”
Mr McHale said the statements and accusations he refers to were made at an LMC meeting, held in his absence.
No reason was forthcoming for the suspension in the communique from Mr Durkan to clubs and when contacted by The Mayo News, current Mayo League Chairman Gerry Sweeney declined to comment as to why Mr McHale was suspended.
“The League want to move on,” said Mr Sweeney, who explained that the length of the suspension was indefinite.
Mr McHale says he was given no grounds for the suspension by the Mayo League.
“I’ve been given no grounds for the suspension. I contend the LMC have no grounds to suspend me and that any authority to suspend me rests with the clubs in any case.”
The LMC is a ten-man committee, including Mr McHale.
“I’m prepared to do what it takes to clear my name. I’ve done nothing wrong and I’ve nothing to hide,” said Mr McHale.
Since stepping aside as Chairman last March, Mr McHale remained on the LMC, where he served as the League’s FAI Junior Council delegate and also served as Chairman of (Milebush) Stadium Sub-Committee.