Rio tickets scandal: Kevin Mallon to be released on bail

Kevin Mallon has been sharing a cell with former OCI president Pat Hickey

Irishman Kevin Mallon, who was arrested in Brazil earlier this month over alleged illegal ticket sales at Rio 2016, is to be released on bail.

Mr Mallon, a Dublin-based director of THG Sports, will be released after a Supreme Court ruling in Brasilia.
THG is a corporate and sports hospitality group based in London.

THG have said Mr Mallon did not sell or seek to sell tickets but was holding them for collection

The group said it welcomed the news of Mr Mallon's bail and would work to secure his full release and return to Dublin.

It added that it believes the company and its executives will be vindicated when all of the evidence is reviewed.

Irish foreign minister Charlie Flanagan has said he will meet the family of Pat Hickey over their concerns

When Mr Mallon was arrested, police said that more than 700 tickets, organised in envelopes and marked for sale, were found in a safe with him.

Who's who in Irish Olympic tickets controversy?

• Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) - The state-funded body responsible for selecting, training and preparing Irish athletes to take part in the summer and winter Olympics
• International Olympic Committee (IOC) - The leading organiser of the Olympic games and the highest authority in the Olympic movement
• Pat Hickey - The president of the Olympic Council of Ireland
• THG Sports - A corporate and sports hospitality company based in London
• Pro 10 Management - An Irish sports management company that was appointed by the OCI as its authorised ticket reseller in Ireland
• Shane Ross - The Irish sports minister

 THG said Mr Mallon did not sell or seek to sell the tickets but was holding them for collection by clients of Pro 10 Management, who were the Irish authorised ticket reseller.

Mr Mallon has been sharing a cell with former OCI president Pat Hickey in Bangu 10 prison. Mr Hickey, 71, has also been arrested in connection with illegal ticket sales. He denies any wrongdoing.

On Friday, Irish foreign minister Charlie Flanagan agreed to meet with the family of Mr Hickey after they said they were "gravely concerned" about his health and his continued detention.

The Olympic Council of Ireland has appointed accountants Grant Thornton to conduct an independent review of its handling of ticketing arrangements for the Rio games.

It says the review will be completed by 10 October and passed to Judge Carroll Moran to consider as part of the Irish government's inquiry deliberations.