Sport Ireland and Tug of War Ireland jointly announced today that Aidan Byrne has committed an anti-doping rule violation.

Sport Ireland and Tug of War Ireland jointly announced today that Aidan Byrne has committed an anti-doping rule violation.

Aidan Byrne tested positive for the cocaine metabolite, benzoylecgonine, in a Sample collected in In-Competition Testing on 2 July 2023, contrary to Articles 2.1 and 2.2 of the Irish Anti-Doping Rules.

Mr. Byrne did not provide evidence that he used cocaine Out-of-Competition and in a context unrelated to sport performance, which would have led to his ban being reduced to 3 months. Pursuant to Article 8.4.2 of the Rules, as Mr. Byrne failed to dispute the violations, he is deemed to have admitted them, waived his right to a hearing and to have accepted the proposed sanctions.

Accordingly, Sport Ireland issued a reasoned decision imposing a ban of 4 years on Mr. Byrne, effective from the date of his provisional suspension which commenced on 3 August 2023. The deadline for any appeal by Mr. Byrne has passed.

The reasoned decision is available at Sanctions | Sport Ireland.

This announcement is made pursuant to Article 15 (Public Disclosure) of the Rules.

End.

For further information:

Sport Ireland: Eamon Donoghue - edonoghue@sportireland.ie