A Much Needed Update On The GAA Catfish Saga

Nearly three years after it first emerged, the 2 Johnnies GAA Catfish saga took another turn in recent weeks, following school disciplinary proceedings against a teacher accused of being the infamous catfish.

The long-running 3-part sage remerged earlier in January this year, as the 2 Johnnies shared new information regarding the case. This update involved several new accounts appearing to be run by the same person, targeting well known figures in the GAA scene, as well as a supposed sighting of the alleged catfish in a pub.

Things took a twist when RTÉ reported that an all-boy secondary school in Dublin had taken legal action against one of their teachers, Niamh Farrell, who had been accused online as being the GAA Catfish.

Niamh claimed she was unaware of who was responsible and had no connection to the individuals making the allegations. Despite this, Coláiste Éanna initiated a disciplinary process against her based on an investigation report.

In sworn statements, as reported by the BBC, Farrell expressed concern that the school’s actions were based on pressure from parents and the wider public fallout, rather than any credible evidence. She described the disciplinary process as “flawed and unlawful”, stating that it implied she had admitted to being the catfish — something she firmly denied from the outset.

Last month, Farrell was granted a temporary High Court injunction preventing the school from proceeding further with disciplinary action. Last week, it was reported that the dispute had now been resolved. The school agreed to discontinue the disciplinary process and withdraw the investigation report.

The 2 Johnnies revealed earlier this year that the person originally known as the GAA Catfish — previously identified under the pseudonym Cora O’Donovan, or Nikki, — had resurfaced using a new alias.

So, what happens now? Well, the 2 Johnnies have not commented on the above legal action, nor have they confirmed a part four of the series.

Plans for a BBC documentary on the saga were ultimately shelved after the individual behind the catfishing declined to participate.

Words by Alyssa O’Sullivan