Ireland's Olympic council '˜will aid investigators' over ticket cartel claim

Two ticket agencies at the centre of the controversy have also pledged their co-operation and urged the anticipated probe in Dublin to make its findings as quickly as possible.

Ireland’s Sports Minister Shane Ross is expected to appoint a judge or barrister to head an independent inquiry after flying back early from Brazil to meet the attorney general.

The head of the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) Patrick Hickey has been discharged from hospital in Rio and taken to a police station for questioning in connection with the investigation.

He was detained at a hotel in the Barra da Tijuca area of the city and later taken to hospital with chest pain before he underwent cardiac tests.

Mr Hickey, 71, who stood down from his role following his arrest, was monitored at nearby Samaritano Hospital until around 4pm local time on Thursday.

The OCI said: “The Olympic Council of Ireland confirms that it will co-operate fully with any state inquiry into its handling of ticketing arrangements for the Rio Olympics.

“The OCI will now also commission its own independent inquiry into the ticketing arrangements for Rio 2016. The previously announced internal inquiry by the OCI has been discontinued.”

Mr Hickey has been formally accused under Brazilian law of ticket touting, running a cartel, and illicit marketing.

This is a stage in the legal process that is not equivalent to being charged in British or Irish law but is a preliminary step in that direction. He has denied any wrongdoing.

After his arrest Mr Hickey, from Dublin, stepped aside from his positions as the International Olympic Committee member in Ireland, president of the European Olympic Committees and vice president of the Association of National Olympic Committees.

The investigation centres on the sale of more than 800 tickets to the Games, including more than 20 which police said were intended for use by Ireland’s Olympic officials.

Mr Hickey’s arrest follows an unreleated controversy surrounding boxing events at the Olympics, which saw some judges expelled from the contest.

It came after judges ruled on Tuesday that Belfast fighter Michael Conlon had lost to his Russian rival Vladimir Nikitin, despite a large number of observers (including fellow Belfast boxer Carl Frampton) believing that the Irish boxer had been the clear victor.