By Michele Canning Smith
THE SECRETARY of a Strabane GAA Club has said the sale of bogus tickets for a non-existent draw may well have implications for other clubs around the County.
Aodhan Harkin was speaking after Sigersons GFC discovered that a man, purporting to be from the Strabane club, had been selling tickets for a development draw in the Altamuskin and Ballygawley areas.
The fake tickets, which bear the club logo, were being sold at £20 each or three for £50 with a prize fund of £25,000 for a draw to be held on November 29th
The Club has urged anyone who is approached to refuse to purchase a ticket as it does not have an ongoing draw at present.
Aodhan Harkin said, "I received a phonecall on Wednesday night from our Club development officer who had been contacted by her family about tickets being sold in the Errigal Ciaran area.
"Initially, we thought that it might have been a mistake until we received a copy of the bogus ticket. We immediately contacted the County Board, the club solicitor and made a complaint to the PSNI.
"We know that several people purchased the tickets and that the seller, a man, wasn't local to that area.
The Sigersons Club Secretary said it may well be the case that the person who was selling the dud tickets comes from the Strabane area.
It is understood the man was wearing a Strabane top.
But Mr Harkin said at this stage, the Club is in the dark.
"If anyone has any information we would appreciate it that they bring it forward.
abusing
"I am very angry that someone is using and abusing our name. GAA people are usually very generous and will not only buy tickets within their own clubs but also from other clubs.
"The goodwill of GAA supporters has been taken advantage of and unfortunately it was our name that was used.
procedure
"It will make it much more difficult for all GAA Clubs in the future and might have implications when clubs are genuinely selling tickets.
"As it is, there isn't a standard procedure within the GAA when it comes to selling for clubs.
"There isn't an identification badge for sellers so maybe these are things that we need to look at."
"I just hope that with all the publicity that we have nipped this situation in the bud. It is annoying and I hope that the person responsible is caught," added the GAA Club's Secretary.
