Horse Racing Ireland CEO to repay bonus to State

The chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland is to repay to the State bonuses awarded to him in May.

In a statement this evening, it was confirmed that CEO Brian Kavanagh will give back the money, after meeting with the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney and HRI Chairman Denis Brosnan.

It follows a report in today's Irish Examiner, which revealed that Mr Kavanagh had received €37,550 in May, relating to a back-dated 2008/2009 bonus.

He will now pay that money back to the State.

Minister Coveney also confirmed that the outstanding CEO contract with the HRI will be signed by September.