Team manager Donal Lenihan confirmed last night that despite reports of an alleged off-the-pitch incident involving the 22-year-old Lansdowne player Shane Horgan, the player will make his Ireland debut against Scotland at Lansdowne Road tomorrow as planned.
Horgan received a phone call about 8.0 a.m. yesterday in the team hotel concerning the reports of an incident outside the Alley Night Club, a subsidiary of the Skeffington Arms Hotel, in Galway, on Saturday, October 30th last year. Horgan then met Lenihan.
After the Evening Herald published the allegations yesterday, without naming the player, the IRFU issued a short statement: "We were made aware of an incident in which Shane Horgan was alleged to have been involved and, having received this information, we will now be carrying out an investigation."
On the night of the alleged incident, Horgan was with some Leinster team-mates who had remained in Galway following the province's 53-8 win over Connacht. Horgan had scored a try in the match.
A bouncer, or doorman, employed by the night club, was taken to hospital following an incident and it is believed his jaw was broken.
Gardai in Galway refused to confirm they are investigating this specific assault. A spokesman did confirm, however, that "a complaint alleging an assault in Galway on October 30th is being investigated by the Garda". It is believed that the delay in the investigation is due in part to Horgan's involvements with Leinster and the Ireland A side, which have included trips abroad.
Aside from a criminal investigation, it is believed both parties involved in the incident are taking counter actions. Joe Leddin, the PRO for Lansdowne Rugby Club, said: "We understand that it is a dispute between two parties, and that both parties are and have been represented by their solicitors."
He added: "It would be inappropriate of us as a club to comment on something while it is in the legal process. We equally believe that it is inappropriate of others to pass any comments until the matter is resolved.
"Our only observation in relation to Shane Horgan is that, since he joined this club as an under-18 player, he has been exemplary both on and off the pitch, which is not to pass any derogatory comment on the other person involved in the case," concluded Leddin.
The revelation comes as another embarrassment to the IRFU, just a week after reserve hooker Frank Sheahan was fined by the union for head-butting an Irish fan in the wake of the team's 50-18 defeat by England. This may partly explain their surprising decision to identify the player involved before the completion of any criminal or legal cases.
Lenihan admitted that this is "an issue that we could have done without" and that it was also ill-timed for Horgan. "Sadly I think it's only resurfaced because Shane has been selected to play for Ireland this weekend.
"He's winning his first cap and that brings its own pressures, but we told the squad straight away this morning and I think everybody rallied around him," added Lenihan.
"It's not easy for him but he trained well today and the team trained well today, and we'll just get on with it."
