Police in Miami have said they are “unaware” of an alleged sexual assault which was reported to have taken place during an Armagh GAA team trip in November, as the PSNI arrested a man.
The 30-year-old was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of sexual assault.
However, police in Miami say they have not received any information to date related to an alleged sexual assault at the luxury Eden Roc resort.
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said this week that the PSNI would “wait to be contacted” by police in Miami, where the incident is alleged to have occurred.
When contacted by The Irish News, the Miami Beach Police Department said its Criminal Investigations Department was “unaware” of the alleged incident.
“After conducting a thorough review of the limited information available, our records do not indicate that any incidents of sexual battery were reported at the Eden Roc Hotel during the period from November 13 to November 20,” a Miami Beach PD spokesperson said.
The PSNI confirmed a 30-year-old had been arrested on Tuesday.
“Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of sexual assault and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, on Tuesday 10 December,” the PSNI said.
“He has since been released on police bail pending further enquiries.”
A solicitor for an Armagh man who presented himself to the PSNI in connection with the investigation on Tuesday has released a statement saying he is “innocent of all charges” and is cooperating with police.
In a statement released by solicitor Patrick Higgins, from Donnelly and Wall Solicitors, the lawyer confirmed: “My client voluntarily presented himself to the PSNI yesterday to be interviewed.
“He co-operated fully with the PSNI in the initial stages of the investigation.
“He is innocent of all charges and vows to do everything in his power to clear his name.”
Around 100 people including the All-Ireland winning Armagh team, along with partners and coaching staff, had been staying at the Miami Beach resort during the trip, which GAA headquarters funded to the tune of £100,000, while clubs in Armagh were asked to fundraise the remaining costs.
The Armagh senior footballers sealed a famous victory over Galway earlier this year to end a 22-year wait for Sam Maguire glory.
GAA ruling bodies have yet to make public comment on the alleged incident.
