The cocaine problem in the GAA is now 'in every corner of Ireland', a Clare referee has said.
Pat Byrne-O'Connell said players have turned to the drug after being told not to drink alcohol.
He told Lunchtime Live he believes the problem is in every club across the country, and that it is one of the GAA's own making
"Massive," he said. "Out of control - and it's in every club in every county in every corner of Ireland."
"Anyone that thinks it's not is totally lost and blind.
"It's out of control and it's the GAA's own fault; they've created this monster by introducing what's called the alcohol ban.
"All these coaches coming in who know little or nothing about the social life of young people banning alcohol.
"So the lads are coming to the pub, sitting at the bar counter with their 0.0 alcohol bottle perched in front of them off their face on cocaine.
"That's what they're doing because you can't be seen to be drinking in the GAA anymore".
'Either blind or stupid'
Mr Byrne-O'Connell said there is "no difference" between the problem at club and county level.
"It's the same players, you're talking [about] the same players," he said.
"They're young fellas, they're social fellas, they're out with their friends at the weekends and that's what they're doing.
"Anyone that says it's not happening is either blind or stupid, and I don't think there's many stupid people involved in the GAA.
"They've turned their back on it because it's the easy way out".
A man divides lines of cocaine. Image: Riccardo Ceccherini / AlamyMr Byrne-O'Connell, who has been working in the pub industry for 20 years, said he has seen the changes.
"I have lads coming in from training and coming in from matches [saying], 'Pat give me €100 cashback'," he said.
"They go down straight to their 'friend', get their €100, hand it over, into the toilet and come up to the bar counter [for] a 0.0.
"That's what they're doing in every club in the county, and not one club can say that it's not happening because it is".
'Easier to get drugs than drink'
Mr Byrne-O'Connell said he believes the level of drug-taking is "easily" over 50% of players.
"I would say one-in-two players in every club is taking cocaine on a weekly basis.
"It's every pub, it's every house party, it's everywhere.
"If you went down and did a drug test at a GAA match every weekend, you would capture at least one fella with cocaine in his system.
"It's easier to get drugs than drink," he added.
Mr Byrne-O'Connell believes testing will not happen because it is an amateur sport.
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