An amateur boxing coach previously accused but cleared of harassment is suing the sport’s national governing body after being refused club membership amid concerns he represents a risk of harm to children.

The case, which is set to throw the spotlight on the processes used to vet people involved in sporting organisations, is expected to come before the High Court later this year.

The coach issued legal proceedings against the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) after being refused a copy of the HSE safeguarding risk assessment report that gave rise to the decision.

He wants the court to quash the association’s decision to refuse him club membership and to direct the release of the report.

In court filings, the man denies being a danger to children. His civil action comes just over a decade after he was accused of harassing a female member of his club.

Following an independent safeguarding inquiry, he was allowed to continue his activities as a coach with the club.

A psychological assessment concluded he was not a sexually predatory adult and could not be said to pose a risk.

The issues central to his lawsuit occurred when he sought to renew his club membership in October 2017.

As part of the process, he submitted a vetting form and was later informed via the Garda National Vetting Bureau’s online tracking system that the vetting process had been completed.

He contends he was never notified of any determination that specified information relevant to his application be disclosed to the IABA.

His membership application was not approved and he says the following February he was informed this was because of the contents of a HSE safeguarding risk assessment report.

According to the coach, requests to the IABA for the report were refused.

The IABA has yet to file a defence to the action.

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