Hickey, the former Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) President who was arrested during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on ticketing allegations, was cleared of wrongdoing in a report published by Justice Cearbhall Moran in his home country last month.

However, the official - who self-suspended himself as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and as President of the European Olympic Committees - did not cooperate with the enquiry.

He said this came after legal advice, pending the outcome of Brazilian proceedings against him.

Hickey, who has always denied the charges against him, also claimed that the Moran Report contained "significant inaccuracies".

Brazilian prosecutor Marcos Kac, who is handling the case, has now criticised this stance in The Irish Times.

He said he could have spoken to the Moran enquiry and an investigation carried out by the Oireachtas, Ireland's Parliament. 

"I'm sure Irish law has the right to silence," he told the newspaper. 

"But, he is not using that right. 

"He's saying he can't talk because of Brazil. 

"This doesn't exist."

According to the Irish Times, Kac said that he had not yet read Moran's report.

Hickey was allowed to leave Brazil for medical reasons and is now waiting to see if he will ever face trial in the South American country on charges including ticket touting, money laundering and tax evasion.

His Dublin-based solicitors, Giles J Kennedy & Co, have claimed they have been told Brazilian courts allow overseas defendants to participate in a trial from outside the jurisdiction.

The Irishman is currently in Budapest attending the International Judo Federation World Championships, where he could meet with IOC President Thomas Bach.

His visit to the Hungarian capital has come after the OCI said he would not be able to rejoin their Board even if he is reinstated as a member of the IOC.

If he was to return, under the rules of the Olympic Charter, he would be able to resume a position as an ex-officio member of the OCI, although he would not have any voting rights.

He was President of the OCI from 1989 until he stood down last year and was replaced by Sarah Keane. 

However, the OCI unanimously voted at its meeting in Dublin not to allow the return of their former leader.  

Kac also dismissed rumours that Hickey could face 44 years in prison if convicted in his interview with The Irish Times.

"Someone could have taken the sentences and added them up," he said. 

"I never said that at any stage."