A former president of the GAA, Dr Michael Loftus, has resigned as an official of his local club in protest over a drinks exemption on the day of an important match.
Dr Loftus, who is president of Crossmolina GAA club in Co Mayo - which has reached the All-Ireland club semi-finals for the second year in succession - has long been vociferous in his opposition to alcohol abuse.
He was appalled when the club, of which he is the main patron, sought a special clubhouse bar exemption for the recent Connacht club football final against Galway champions, Corofin.
Dr Loftus, who has long been critical of the sponsorship links between the GAA and Guinness, has resigned from the honorary position as president of the club. He claims to have been unaware, until contacted by a Garda superintendent, that other club officials were making a court application for an exemption before Judge Mary Devins at district court sittings in Ballina and Kiltimagh.
"I took the decision to resign as a matter of principle," Dr Loftus said yesterday. "I will, of course, be remaining as a member of the club."
Dr Loftus, who is founder of the Dothain (Enough) organisation, which is dedicated to curbing the abuse of alcohol, has refused to attend All-Ireland hurling finals since Guinness became sponsors of the event.