Tracks of their Tears

Dublin - Shelbourne Park

6 articles

Dublin | Mullinger | Newbridge | Ballyskeagh | Clonmel

GA Ireland action alert: 15th February 2006


These companies keep Shelbourne Operating.

Both supply the track ... so please politely tell them about what goes on in the Greyhound Industry and ask them to cease trading with the track.

You might like to refer them to www.greyhoundaction.org.uk/facts7.html where you will find plenty of background on the greyhound industry in Eire...

...also www.greyhoundaction.org.uk/iirelandnewsnews.html where you will find relevant newspaper articles and press releases and...

...also www.greyhoundaction.org.uk/trackdublin.html for more specific info on the Shelbourne track.


>> Tallon Ready Chef (food supplies)

112 - 113 Bann Road,
Dublin Industrial Estate,
Glasnevin,
Dublin 11,
Ireland

Phone 00 353 1 8300111, Fax 00 353 1 8301030

email: sales@readychef.ie

>> AVC Hire.(audio visual equipment supplier)

608 Howth Road,
Raheny
Dublin 5

Ireland

Phone 01 8511262 (00 353 1+)

Fax 01 8187915

email seamus@avchire.com, shane@avchire.com, shanemc@avchire.com and ,john@avchire.com

Ireland on Sunday February 2006


Im taking on charlie Bird, RTE and the government

by Jim clarke.


The Greyhound Industry scandal took another bizzare twist yesterday when the controversial chairman of Bord na gCon Paschal taggart moved to defend his role in the sacking of its CEO Aidan Tynan and the covering up of two positive drugs tests on Irish dogs.

Mr Taggart held a colourful press conference at Shelbourne Park dog track in Dublin in which he launched a vicious attack on RTE reporter Charlie Bird, he alleged that Mr Tynan might not have been sacked but for the intervention of Sports Minister John O Donoghu, he claimed that Tim Dalton, a former secretary-general of the Dept of justice, was incapable of investigating the scandal. In future he said, he would propose that all positive dope tests on dogs be published.

As Animal Rights activists protested outside Shelbourne Park and hundreds of Taggarts supporters gathered to wave placards on the track, the under fire chairman accused RTE and the Examiner of dishonest and biased reporting.

The scandal erupted just over two weeks ago after Mr Tynan wrote to Mr O Donoghue complaining that positive drug tests had been supressed by Mr Taggart. It has since emerged that two dogs were discovered to have been dosed with the human performance enhancing drug EPO in 2005.

But when the cases came before the boards drug testing committee, under Mr Taggarts chairmanship in November, the committee decided not to publish the results.
the minister wrote immediately to Bord na gCon requesting an urgent report into the matter.The following day Mr Tynan was sacked by Mr Taggart and the other six members of the board.

The minister launched an enquiry into Mr Tynans dismissal and urged Mr Taggart to remain silent while Mr Dalton conducted the enquiry.But yesterday an unrependant Mr Taggart defied Mr O Donogue to put his case to the press.

It is a very very difficult decision to make to come here today. Mr Taggart said, I had six or seven friends pleading with me last night not to come. I do not believe Mr Dalton is capable of investigating this aspect of the issue. Mr dalton is incapable of investigating Charlie Bird. RTE and the Examiner.

Charlie Bird rang me at 12 noon last Friday I came in to meet him and say there was no connection between the drugging case and the sacking.This biased dreadful comment from RTE, I dont know why that happened.RTE and the Examiner were not fair. It was erroneous dishonest reporting. Id like the RTE chiefs to explain why they persisted in this. Look what Im doing here, taking on Charlie Bird, RTE and the Govt, this media frenzy started with the headline that Tynan was sacked over the EPO decision.

We'd forgotten what Aidan Tynans decision on the EPO case was. It was nothing to do with his sacking.This goes back to Oct 19 2005.There is a long list of disagreements on stratgedy. Charlie Bird can tell you whats in the minutes of the board meeting.

As the ANIMAL RIGHTS activists blared sirens outsideto protest against the treatment of retired racing dogs, Mr Taggart insisted he would be vindicated. we took the decision not to publish those test results he said, we took 4500 euro prize money from one guy who was guilty.Then we introduced a range of anti doping guidelines. But I will go to the next Bord na gCon meeting proposing that all drug positives will be published in future 100%.

Last night Charlie Bird declined to respond to the allegation that his reporting had been biased.But an RTE spokeswoman said the station rejected Mr Taggarts outburst. We are not going to comment on what Mr Taggart said at this time. But RTE fully stands over our correspondent Charlie Bird.


From Global Greyhounds (pro-racing forum) Sept 2002


"Just been reading an article in the Irish Greyhound Weekly about derby final night where four famous trainers had dogs injured, so at the end of the day IS ANY TRACK SAFE?"

Irelands Greyhound Weekly 30-8-01

 

There have been a number of other Derby casualties. The very promising young dog Ardbeg Bob had to be put down after smashing his leg around the second bend on Saturday night.He had a bump with Quattro Power and smashed the leg in the fall.A sad blow for owner Bill Merrick and trainer Paul Hennessy.

Quattro Power didn't come out of the incident secure either.One of his owners Cahal Curley reports that his dog has run his last raceafter aggravating the wrist injury which affected him in the tote gold collar final at Harolds Cross....


And also retired is that smashing bitch Glenwood Sassy...... The bitch sprained a wrist and is now to be retired to the breeding paddocks.


From Global Greyhounds (pro-greyhound racing forum) May, 2003

 

Mullinger:

"Kanoute, after breaking track records at Shelbourne and Mullingar gets beaten in the final of the Cesarewitch at Mullingar then breaks a bone in his wrist.

Shellbourne:

"I was just told that they couldn't do anything with Heavenly Hero. He was paralysed from (i think) the waist down and despite all efforts, there was nothing they could do. Really sad. He was a very fast dog and it appears that it was a freak fall that took him. You have to feel for Heavenly Stud-Kanoute broke a bone a few weeks back, Business Sucess damaged his shoulder when leading and on the same night this happens. Over the past 12 months I've also lost Heavenly Zeus and Heavenly Sid through track injuries, and it's times like this that you take stock and say...is it all worth it???"

 

From Irish Independent, Sunday March 9th 2003

 

One of the most popular greyhounds seen for some time, Late Late Show, ended his career at Shelbourne Park last night.

A packed crowd heavily backed Late Late Show, which broke faster than recent runs and was in a commanding position near the first turn when he broke down with a bad injury. The race was won by Detagh Davy.

Below are quotes from the Global Greyhounds pro-greyhound racing forum about the incident:-

"Tonight was a very sad night in racing as the Peoples Champion appeared to sustain a very serious injury which will surely end his career in racing."

"Reading the report in today's Independent it seems that Late Late Show suffered a sudden injury at the first bend. It's not the first time (and it won't be the last) that this has happened and it happens to dogs of all ages."

"Susan Hennessy said after racing on Saturday night that the Late Late was finished racing. The problem was with his back - which was the cause of previous problems. ............The injury happened before he even got into the 1st bend. It was a sickening sight !!! The thing that dismayed me was the fact he was left to struggle."