ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – A former Olympic swim coach from Ireland has been arrested in Seminole County, accused of decades-old sexual abuse involving children he coached.
Federal investigators say 77-year-old George Gibney was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon at a home in Altamonte Springs. Gibney is charged with 78 counts of sexual assault on a child stemming from allegations that date back to the 1970s.
Surveillance video obtained by News 6 shows the moment law enforcement moved in on the home, with sirens blaring and armed agents surrounding the property.
Neighbors say Gibney had lived in the neighborhood for several years, but many described him as reclusive.
“To have a monster like that living among us is just shocking,” said Victor Valentin, who lives across the street. “There were a lot of police officers, rifles, guns, bullhorns. They were yelling for this guy to come out.”
According to a nearly 300-page federal criminal complaint, several victims came forward in 2021 and 2022. Investigators say they described abuse that occurred while they were taking swimming lessons from Gibney as children in Ireland. The victims were between 8 and 15 years old at the time, and some of the assaults allegedly took place in Gibney’s office.
“They were trying to pursue their Olympic dreams and had someone who was supposed to support them, but instead betrayed them,” Valentin said.
Authorities said Gibney was previously accused of sexually assaulting at least six others in the 1990s, though he was never prosecuted. He is believed to have been living in the United States since 1995.
“I’m glad that he’s gone. I’m glad they found him. I’m glad he’s going to be extradited,” said Valentin. “Our children are going to be safe because this is a family neighborhood.”
Gibney appeared before a federal judge in Orlando on Tuesday. Investigators said that same court will oversee his extradition to Ireland to face the charges.