Hayes praises greyhound industry for contribution to the Gathering

Greyhound racing sustains 10,000 rural jobs and injects around €500m into local communities annually, said Junior Agriculture Minister Tom Hayes yesterday.

Mr Hayes was speaking in Kingdom Greyhound Stadium, Tralee, for ‘The Gathering of Memories and Trophies’ organised by the Kerry Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association.

Citing Bord na gCon figures, he congratulated greyhound owners, breeders, trainers, race-goers, stadia operators, sponsors, officials, and Bord na gCon for their contribution to the tourism success story of Gathering events.

“The Gathering 2013 is one of the most successful tourism initiatives undertaken in this country,” said Mr Hayes.

“The greyhound industry is responsible for sustaining in excess of 10,000 full and part-time jobs directly and indirectly, many in rural communities and injects an estimated €500m into local economies. The Kingdom Greyhound Stadium is an excellent facility and is a widely regarded platform for trainers and dog owners to showcase their dogs and pit them against the best in a distinguished field.”

The minister also attended the official opening of a new grandstand at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium. He said this long-awaited new facility reflected the widely held view that Clonmel is regarded by many as “the home of greyhound racing in Ireland”.

He praised Clonmel stadium chairman, Donal O’Connor, and all those involved, noting that it was a “particular challenge to see the project through to completion in difficult economic circumstances”.

He noted that this feat was achieved “on schedule and within budget”.