Frank Nyhan and Pat Creed announced as Bord na gCon’s new appointees

Minister of state for agriculture Tom Hayes has named Frank Nyhan and Pat Creed as new board appointees to Bord na gCon, joining three reappointed directors.

Frank Nyhan is principal in Frank Nyhan & Associates Solicitors, and the State solicitor for Cork City.

Pat Creed is managing director of Bank of Ireland Finance and has extensive risk management experience.

They join three reappointees to the board: William O’Dwyer, executive director of Thurles Greyhound Stadium and former joint secretary of Thurles Coursing Club; Riona Heffernan, chartered accountant and acting group head of finance at C&C Group; and Martin Murphy, chairman of Limerick Greyhound Stadium.

Mr Hayes said: “These appointments will ensure the smooth running and appropriate oversight in Bord na gCon in the immediate term. The individual skill sets they possess will bring a wealth of professional experience to steer this organisation on a steady and viable course.

“It is yet another important step in implementing the Indecon Report, providing a platform for a world-class greyhound racing industry.”

Issued in 2014, the Indecon Report criticised Bord na gCon’s corporate governance, doping controls, and animal welfare sanctions, and questioned the wisdom of several investments, notably the construction of a €23m greyhound racing stadium in Limerick, funded largely with borrowings.