Foster, who was suspended by Basketball Ireland earlier this year, was found dead in tragic circumstances in his home at Harbour Terrace, Cobh
Foster, who was suspended by Basketball Ireland earlier this year, was found dead in tragic circumstances in his home at Harbour Terrace, Cobh on Friday, November 15.
Sources have confirmed all three complaints involve female minors, with the severity of the allegations ranging from grooming to serious sexual assaults.
It’s understood two women – who allege they were abused by Foster as minors in the late ’80s and early ’90s – were former underage basketball players and were coached by him.
Foster had been recognised for his services to coaching
They came forward after the former school teacher was suspended on foot of the allegation made against him by the family of a teenage girl earlier this year.
Foster – who was in his 60s – was laid to rest in a funeral in his hometown earlier this week, during which he was remembered for his involvement in sport.
Earlier, a condolences page on a website hosting his death notice was taken down after comments were posted in relation to the abuse probe.
The Sunday World has established that two days before Foster was found dead in his home, he had been arrested and quizzed by specialist gardaí in relation to serious allegations of sexual abuse.
Foster, a former maths and science teacher at St Fanahan’s in Mitchelstown and Glanmire Community College, was suspended by Basketball Ireland in June on foot of the allegation of inappropriate conduct involving a female minor.
In a statement issued to the Sunday World on Friday last, Basketball Ireland said: “Basketball Ireland have robust procedures in place for all matters related to child protection and safeguarding, to protect the welfare of all those involved in the sport.
“Basketball Ireland was informed by Cobh BC’s Child Protection Officer of allegations against Dominic Foster, which had already been referred to Tusla and An Garda Síochána.
“The individual in question was suspended with immediate effect by Basketball Ireland, pending those investigations by Tusla and An Garda Síochána.
“Basketball Ireland cancelled Mr Foster’s Garda vetting and safeguarding certification.
“Mr Foster was formally notified by Basketball Ireland of his suspension from all basketball-related activities and the cancellation of his Garda vetting and safeguarding certification, measures Mr. Foster acknowledged and accepted.
Three complaints were made against basketball coach Dominic Foster
“Basketball Ireland was awaiting the outcome of procedures and investigations by Tulsa and An Garda Síochána and in the meantime remained in liaison with Cobh BC’s Child Protection Officer and Tusla regarding the matter.
“Basketball Ireland’s investigations are now closed and a report will not be made public.”
Separately, Gardaí confirmed this week their investigations involve a number of complaints.
In a statement issued to the Sunday World, a Garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí are investigating a number of complaints received in the Southern Region. A file is being prepared for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
“Investigations are ongoing.
“No further information is available.”
The Sunday World understands the Garda investigation is set to conclude in the coming weeks.
However, Dominic Foster’s death precludes any possibility of prosecution in his case.
At his funeral Mass, which was well attended by relatives and friends, a family member thanked those who had stood by both the deceased and his family in recent times.
She described them as “true friends who had stuck by him through thick and thin”.
“To those friends,” she said, “and you know who you are, we want you to know that you kept him going and ye supported us … by keeping his spirits up through the last few difficult months and we will be forever grateful.”
Foster was well known in underage girls’ basketball.
He held roles including Southern Girls Regional Officer for Basketball Ireland’s Post Primary School league, coach of the Cork Girls BIPPS teams and coached with the Cork Ladies Development Underage Squads.
In 2019, he was awarded the Cork Indoor Sport Award in recognition of his involvement in the sport over two decades.
“Domo has given countless hours to Cobh Basketball, bringing it back from near extinction to a point where the club is now competing in all underage competitions in both boys’ and girls’ leagues, regularly contributing players to various Cork teams and saw the club produce their first Irish International player,” his award notice read.