A general view of Croke Park.
The Adult Safeguarding and Culture Review Task Force charged with guiding the GAA on the implementation of the recommendations arising from the McGibbon Safeguarding Review (2023) held its first meeting last week. The McGibbon review contains recommendations regarding adult safeguarding and culture in the GAA.
Uachtarán CLG, Jarlath Burns, selected Donegal native Julie Galbraith to chair the group. Galbraith, a partner at the law firm Eversheds Sutherland, specialises in employment law, including administrative law, natural justice and fair procedures and is an experienced GAA volunteer. Starting off as assistant PRO with her home club Buncrana as a 16-year-old, she was most recently appointed by Jarlath Burns to the Central Hearings Committee, having previously served on the Central Appeals Committee.
President of the GAA, Jarlath Burns, said of the appointment:
“Julie brings a wealth of professional expertise and volunteering experience to this role and I’m delighted she took up the invitation to chair the task force. I’d also like to thank the other exceptional volunteers that accepted the invitation to guide the GAA on this important journey.
“While this is one of our key priorities it is relatively unchartered waters for the GAA, and Irish sport in many ways. We are blessed in the Gaelic Games family to have access to volunteers of this calibre; people who bring both formidable experience and passion to the task at hand.”
Ms Galbraith stated: “I’m delighted to chair this Task Force and am excited by the calibre and experience of my fellow committee members. The range of skillsets they bring to the table will be essential in ensuring that the GAA leads the way on adult safeguarding in Irish sport in a similar vein to its exceptional work undertaken in child safeguarding over the years. I am particularly keen to ensure that our culture continues to improve and evolve to reflect our values.”
Running concurrent to the work of the Task Force is a collaboration which has been ongoing since January 2022. Ruhama was named as one of the GAA’s official charities for 2024, alongside the Men’s Development Network, who are guardians of the White Ribbon campaign in the 26 counties. Both organisations have been guiding the GAA, with support from the LGFA and Camogie Association on how it can leverage its place in Irish society to help address gender-based violence against women and girls.
Backed by the Department of Justice (Cuan), focus groups are currently taking place across a representative cohort of Gaelic Games clubs to inform the content of an awareness campaign and educational programme.
Additionally, the GAA will commence work shortly on revamping its RESPECT initiative, seeking to implement a values-based programme that guides all members and units on the behaviours expected of those who hold membership of the Association. The expertise of the Adult Safeguarding and Culture Review Task Force will be consulted on this work.
The Task Force is made up of: Julie Galbraith (Chair); Professor Louise Crawley (Professor of Law at University College Cork); Claire Tobin (Safeguarding and Social Work Consultant and former CASP Lead at Tusla - Child and Family Agency); Dr Susan Lagdon (Senior Lecturer in Psychology (Mental Health)); Sean Cooke (Chief Executive Officer of the Men’s Development Network); Liam McKendry (Partner O'Rorke McDonald & Tweed); and supported by Mary Judge, representative of the GAA Coiste Bainsti, alongside GAA staff Colin Regan, GAA Community & Health Manager; Michelle Harte, GAA Safeguarding Manager; and Bernie Fox, Head of Safeguarding Ulster GAA.