Kellie Harrington says Ireland's elite boxers miss having Bernard Dunne in their corner.
Dunne, the IABA's high performance director at the Tokyo Olympics, has not worked for the association since returning after a pre-Games controversy that saw him close to quitting the post.
A year ago it emerged that a document was distributed to the IABA board critical of his stewardship of the high-performance unit.
The anonymous document criticised the former world champion and recommended he leave his role as IABA high-performance director.
Dunne went to the Tokyo Games but it is now believed that the former world champion might not return to the role.
Harrington, who was Ireland's Olympic gold medallist in Tokyo, says that Dunne's absence is keenly felt as the women boxers prepare for the world championships in Istanbul next month and ahead of next year's Olympic qualifiers.
"Look, nothing ever runs smoothly in Irish boxing, does it? I’d be the first to put my hand up and say that," said Harrington.
"But what I will say is, we miss Bernard, we miss him terribly.
"I miss him as a friend and as someone who I can always look to for sound advice.
"And in those moments when I’m feeling doubtful about myself, Bernard is always there to steer you on the right path. He's a director.
"Yeah, we do miss him. We do need someone there. We’re missing him."
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