Irish scam suspect freed: lawyer

Brazilian officials say an Irish businessman arrested at the beginning of the Rio Games in a ticket-scalping probe has been released on bail.

Fears arose last night that the Dubliner would not be freed as authorities were unable to locate an electronic ankle tag for him.

Kevin Mallon, a director of THG Sports which specialises in corporate and sports hospitality, has been in custody in Brazil since August 5 over the affair.

THG and PRO10 have denied any wrongdoing over ticket sales.

Police said they have found emails dating back to 2010 between Hickey and Marcus Evans, the head of THG, discussing Rio 2016 tickets.

The Authorised Ticket Reseller is Pro 10 Sports Management.

In a ruling published in the early hours of Saturday judge Ribeiro Dantas of the superior court of justice in the capital Brasília reversed his previous rejection on August 15th of a request for habeas corpus and granted one to Mr Mallon’s lawyers.

Mallon has been sharing a cell with Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) President Patrick Hickey, who has also been arrested in connection with the alleged scam, in the high security Bangu prison in west Rio de Janeiro.

Both men and the OCI have denied wrongdoing.

Mr. Mallon, one of the main people involved in the ticket touting scandal that recently marred the reputation of the Olympic Committee of Ireland, was due to be released yesterday.

They added that they believe the company, as well as the executives, will be “vindicated when all the evidence is reviewed”.

“Meanwhile, THG is providing full support to Kevin and his family and will continue to seek to ensure their privacy at this hard time”.