Laptops and mobile phones of a trio of Ireland’s Olympics’ officials have been taken by Rio police. The Brazilian cops are believed to be investigating the illegal sale of Games tickets.

The PCs and phones were taken along with the passports of three individuals by officers who arrived at the offices and accommodation of the Olympic Council of Ireland in the Olympic Village in Rio on the morning of August 21.

The devices belonged to OCI honorary treasurer and chef de mission Kevin Kilty, OCI CEO Stephen Martin and OCI general secretary Dermot Henihan, Rio police said.

No arrests were made but the officials agreed to attend a local police station on August 23 for questioning.

It is believed the police are looking into the illegal sale of tickets for the 2016 Summer Olympics that had been allocated to Ireland.

The OCI said in a statement that, along with the devices of Kilty, Martin and Henihan: “The OCI had an allocation of unused official tickets in their offices which had been made available for athletes’ families and friends. The police also took possession of these tickets.”

The seizure of the devices and passports followed the arrest of OCI president Pat Hickey on August 17 in Rio. Hickey has been "formally accused" under Brazilian law of "ticket touting, running a cartel and illicit marketing". This doesn't amount to a charge under British law – it is described as a "preliminary step" before the equivalent in Brazilian law in The Guardian. Hickey denies the allegations as well as all wrongdoing. ®