Latest news with #GreyhoundRacingIreland
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Multiple Limerick greyhound deaths add fuel to calls for racing ban
The incidents occurred on January 23, January 30, and April 10 at Limerick Greyhound Stadium, a Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI) licenced track. The injuries reported included a broken left hock, a broken right hock and a fractured tibia and fibula. These conditions led on-site veterinarians to euthanise the animals. These Limerick-based cases form part of a larger dataset revealed by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, covering all Irish tracks from January 1 to April 30, during which 28,446 greyhounds raced. In addition, two other greyhounds at the Limerick stadium were treated for non-fatal injuries during this period, including a fractured hock and a possible wrist fracture. Overall, 106 greyhounds sustained injuries, with 54 euthanised by track veterinarians and two recorded as racing fatalities. The issue was raised by People Before Profit–Solidarity TD Paul Murphy in the Dáil on April 29, 2025. These numbers have prompted calls for a review of racing laws. According to Deputy Murphy: 'Both greyhound racing and hare coursing are cruel outdated practices that are banned in other countries and opposed by the vast majority of ordinary people here.'
Dublin Live
2 days ago
- Politics
- Dublin Live
Calls for investigation after 202 greyhounds died racing in Ireland last year
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A shocking 202 greyhounds died while racing in Ireland last year. The figures were disclosed by Senator Chris Andrews in the Seanad. He is now demanding a full independent investigation into the €19 million of taxpayers money given to Greyhound Racing Ireland every year. He is now demanding a full independent investigation into the €19 million of taxpayers money given to Greyhound Racing Ireland every year. He said: "I did not realise that 5% of all racing greyhounds are dead by the time the race is over or shortly afterrealise that 5% of all racing greyhounds are dead by the time the race is over or shortly after. In 2024, 202 dogs died racing. Some €19 million of taxpayers money is going to the greyhound industry every year. "In 2019, Prime Time highlighted that 6,000 greyhounds died because they did not run fast enough. The death rate is as high today as it was then. "Traceability is an absolute shambles." The Dublin-based Sinn Fein Senator was speaking after attending a presentation by Working Animal Guardians, namely Greyhound Action Ireland, Greyhound Awareness Cork, and Ban Bloodsports. Senator Andrews told how in March 2021, there was a commitment given that there would be four care homes set up for greyhounds – but only two have been set up since then. He said: "In 2024 those two care centres got €291,000. Do you know how many they rehomed? Thirty six dogs were rehomed. "This means the cost of rehoming a greyhound by these care homes works out at €8,000. It makes the bike shelter look like good value." He added: "This is where €19 million in greyhound funding is going. This funding needs to be investigated independently." Mr Andrews demanded Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon attend the Seanad to explain what is going on and for an independent investigation to be set up. He said: "I ask that there be an investigation and we have the minister in to discuss it. You can not make this stuff up. Rescues do a lot better. "There were reports recently that a kennel in Roscommon was raided and 50 dogs removed because of the shocking condition they were in. There are so many issues we are failing dogs and animals on." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Calls for investigation after 202 greyhounds died while racing last year
A shocking 202 greyhounds died while racing in Ireland last year. The figures were disclosed by Senator Chris Andrews in the Seanad. He is now demanding a full independent investigation into the €19 million of taxpayers money given to Greyhound Racing Ireland every year. He said: 'I did not realise that 5% of all racing greyhounds are dead by the time the race is over or shortly afterrealise that 5% of all racing greyhounds are dead by the time the race is over or shortly after. 'In 2024, 202 dogs died racing. Some €19 million of taxpayers money is going to the greyhound industry every year. 'In 2019, Prime Time highlighted that 6,000 greyhounds died because they did not run fast enough. The death rate is as high today as it was then. 'Traceability is an absolute shambles.' The Dublin-based Sinn Fein Senator was speaking after attending a presentation by Working Animal Guardians, namely Greyhound Action Ireland, Greyhound Awareness Cork, and Ban Bloodsports. Senator Andrews told how in March 2021, there was a commitment given that there would be four care homes set up for greyhounds – but only two have been set up since then. He said: 'In 2024 those two care centres got €291,000. Do you know how many they rehomed? Thirty six dogs were rehomed. 'This means the cost of rehoming a greyhound by these care homes works out at €8,000. It makes the bike shelter look like good value.' He added: 'This is where €19 million in greyhound funding is going. This funding needs to be investigated independently.' Mr Andrews demanded Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon attend the Seanad to explain what is going on and for an independent investigation to be set up. He said: 'I ask that there be an investigation and we have the minister in to discuss it. You can not make this stuff up. Rescues do a lot better. 'There were reports recently that a kennel in Roscommon was raided and 50 dogs removed because of the shocking condition they were in. 'There are so many issues we are failing dogs and animals on.'
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
€20k greyhound race prize paid twice after positive substance test sparks confusion
Confusion surrounds the final destination of a €20,000 first prize for a greyhound race, which was paid out twice after it emerged the original winner had tested positive for a banned substance. Carrigmore Dante emerged victorious in the Time Greyhound Nutrition A4 Derby Final on July 6 last year, receiving the top prize of €20,000. The dog was subsequently confirmed last November, four months later, as having tested positive for a banned substance in an earlier round of the derby last June. The Irish Examiner understands the winner's prize-money of €20,000 has now been paid twice, with the runner-up in the derby, Crokers Hugo, receiving the first prize last month, while the status of the original payment to Carrigmore Dante remains a mystery. On the official results site of regulatory body Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI), Carrigmore Dante is noted as the winner of the July 6 race, but with no attendant prize money. Prize money in greyhound racing is partly funded by funds which GRI receives each year from the State via the Horse and Greyhound Fund. Some €19.82m was allocated to the body in last October's budget for 2025. Efforts to contact the owners of Carrigmore Dante were not successful. Greyhound Racing Ireland said the 'matter of the prize money issued to the greyhound Carrigmore Dante is subject to legal correspondence and [GRI] is not commenting on the matter'. Last month, details of a hearing regarding Carrigmore Dante's positive test for fluxinin — an anti-inflammatory product banned for racing greyhounds — were published, which revealed the dog had been fed category 3 meat 'as recommended' by GRI, which comes with 'a low risk of contamination but not zero risk'. The racing control committee concluded the 'positive sample returned from the greyhound Carrigmore Dante was not deliberate or intentional' based on repeat testing of the same dog 'within a short period', before imposing a fine of €100 on the owners. 'The Greyhound Racing Control Committee, having considered all the evidence in this matter, was satisfied that the case presented by [GRI] was proven,' notes from that hearing state. William Rigney, founder of Time Nutrition, expressed surprise the result of last year's derby final was the subject of questioning, saying 'we haven't heard anything about that'. 'It's the remit of GRI, they are responsible for regulation. We haven't heard anything, we wouldn't be getting involved in that sort of thing,' he said, while confirming the prize money for the race is sourced from both the sponsor and GRI. Asked why it took four months to confirm the presence of a banned substance in Carrigmore Dante, GRI's spokesperson said in order to confirm the positive, a more definitive test, known as liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, needed to be performed on the sample, with the positive finally confirmed on November 7 last year. Read More Irish greyhound regulator knew of welfare issues at kennels last year, months before its closure
Irish Examiner
22-05-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Irish greyhound regulator knew of welfare issues at kennels last year, months before it intervened
The regulator of Irish greyhound racing was aware of issues at a kennels, which closed in April on the back of a serious welfare incident, from late last year. The Irish Examiner has spoken to multiple owners of greyhounds who made complaints to industry body, Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI), between October 2024 and January 2025 about what they claim was mistreatment of their animals at the kennels, located in the west of the country. Several of those owners understood GRI welfare officers had been dispatched to the kennels at the time to assess the situation. One owner noted one of their animals had apparently disappeared from the kennels at the time of their complaint. Another said their dogs were in a dishevelled state when they visited and did not appear to have been adequately cared for. Many of the animals present had been placed there by UK owners who only became aware of the issue at the kennels when information leaked online last week. At that time, GRI released a statement to confirm the kennels had been the site of the serious welfare incident, which is believed to have left some animals dead and many more missing. The body said following 'a number' of welfare inspections 'concerns escalated in late April, prompting immediate intervention' by GRI officers and veterinary professionals. The Irish Examiner queried GRI as to why, given the issues at the kennels were raised last year, the kennels remained open until late April — six months later. The regulator was further queried as to what progress has been made in sourcing the animals that had gone missing from the kennels. GRI did not directly respond to those queries, and instead referred the Irish Examiner back to the body's statement issued last week. Separately, confusion surrounds the nature of the investigation at the kennels. Last week, GRI said it 'continues to engage with the relevant authorities, including An Garda Síochána, in relation to the incident'. 'As the matter is currently under investigation and involves a deeply sensitive personal situation, no further comment is being provided at this time,' the body said. However, following repeat inquiries, a spokesperson for An Garda Siochána said 'there is no Garda investigation at this time'. Asked again what was the nature of its interaction with the gardaí regarding the incident, GRI's spokesperson again declined to elaborate. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy, meanwhile, said 'very serious questions must be posed' to GRI in light of the events at the kennel. 'What apparently went on in this kennel sounds absolutely horrifying,' he said.
