The FAI was worried about protests against the leadership of John Delaney

Gardai tried to “hack” into a social media group used by Ireland football supporters last year over concerns they were planning a protest against John Delaney, according to the FAI’s head of security.

In correspondence sent by Joe McGlue, the FAI’s security chief, to Delaney, then FAI chief executive, last November 30, McGlue claimed that a “protest” WhatsApp group set up by Tommy Shields or Zeno Kelly, two long-time Ireland supporters, had up to 12 members. “Gardai are trying to hack into it,” said McGlue. “Further update later.”

The email, which set out security arrangements and threat assessments ahead of the FAI hosting the draw for the Euro 2020 qualifiers and a Uefa meeting in the Shelbourne hotel in Dublin, was copied in to Emma