A spokesperson for the Olympic Council of Ireland has confirmed to Newstalk that it is not paying Pat Hickey's bail bond after a judge ruled yesterday that his passport could be returned to him. 

The 71-year-old is accused of being at the heart of an international touting ring in Olympic tickets issued to the OCI - a charge he strongly denies.

Judge Juliana Leal de Melo, of a special Olympic court in Rio de Janeiro, ruled on Wednesday that the former OCI president’s passport could be returned to him and he has also been ordered to continue to comply with the legal process.

While the judge noted there was a risk that Mr Hickey would not return to Brazil, she said she had to balance this with concerns for his health.

"I accept the request of prosecutors and set the bail at 1.5 million Reais (€410,000)," the judge said in a statement last night.

"As a condition for the release of his passport and authorization to leave the country… for health treatment." 

It could could still be a number of weeks before Hickey returns to Ireland.