Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald has insisted she is 100% certain that no money from the Provisional IRA or linked criminality has been used to fund her party.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has called on gardaí to examine where money held or obtained by the Provisional IRA has been placed, amid ongoing criticism from Sinn Féin over political attacks on the party.

Sinn Féin finance minister Pearse Doherty has claimed that former members of the Provisional IRA are no threat to the public as they are “getting on with their lives” and just meet “to have a drink”.

 

The Charlie Swan-trained Make A Track made all under Brian Cawley to turn over even money favourite Noble Endeavor in the Clonmel Rated Hurdle at Clonmel yesterday.

Smuggler’s Cove was an impressive winner of the listed Star Appeal 2-Y-0 Stakes in Dundalk last night, giving Aidan O’Brien his third successive win in the race.

Successful at Bellewstown on Thursday evening, the Noel Meade-trained Bose Ikard made it two wins in little more than 24 hours when landing the Walkers Snacks Handicap Hurdle in Down Royal last night, completing a double for Paul Townend.

Jimmy Two Times, a horse who has caught the eye on a couple of occasions, can enjoy a first success in the GAA Race Day 19th August Maiden Hurdle at Sligo tonight.

Willie Mullins bagged a four-timer at Fairyhouse on Saturday and in the process threw punters a potential curveball as he suggested On His Own could have improved enough to swerve the Crabbie’s Grand National and go to Punchestown after landing the At The Races Bobbyjo Chase.

Jockey Ruby Walsh believes young pretender Our Conor has something to prove when he takes on Hurricane Fly in the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 29.

Ruby Walsh delighted a huge crowd at new-look Sligo yesterday when scoring on his only ride, Chiltern Hills, in the featured Kilcawley Construction Sligo Mares Handicap Hurdle.

Charles Byrnes indicated at Limerick yesterday that Solwhit, so impressive at Aintree on Saturday, is likely to tackle Quevega in a three-mile Grade 1 hurdle at Punchestown later this month.

I haven’t ridden since taking two falls at Leopardstown last Sunday and you won’t see me on the battlefield again until the start of Cheltenham next Tuesday.

I certainly don’t ride any certainties at Kempton today, but have reasonable prospects of getting among the winners all of the same.

There was just one race meeting in this country yesterday and that was the Ballinaboola point-to-point fixture which took place under the auspices of the Wexford Foxhounds.

Gordon Elliott’s exciting prospect Don Cossack will take his next step in a fascinating Navan Novice Hurdle on Sunday.

Roi Du Mee led a treble for owners Gigginstown House Stud at Navan when supplementing two wins over fences with a neat victory over the smaller obstacles in the Proudstown Handicap Hurdle.

Andrew Lynch starred with a treble on Buckers Bridge, Mr Goodenough and Clonbanon Lad at Punchestown yesterday.

Trainer Pat Flynn has confirmed his stable star Designs On Rome has been sold to race in Hong Kong.

The Arthur Moore-trained Claragh Native completed back-to-back wins in the Win A Diamond Ring Today Handicap Hurdle when landing a tidy gamble under an ultra-confident Davy Russell in Downpatrick yesterday.

Oliver McKiernan continued his terrific run when saddling Any Bets to land the featured Kevin Broderick Memorial Handicap Chase at Listowel yesterday.

Ruby Walsh warmed-up for the revamped two-day Punchestown meeting, which opens this evening, by registering a fine treble on Back To Balloo, Terminal and Devil’s Elbow on Bank Holiday Monday in Down Royal.

THERE are two noticeable powerhouses dominating Irish racing this season - Willie Mullins and Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud.

Trainer Brian Hamilton has confirmed amateur rider Declan Lavery will maintain his partnership with Weatherbys Champion Bumper favourite Moscow Mannon.

Champion trainer Willie Mullins achieved another notable milestone in his remarkable career when the Ruby Walsh ridden Soll justified odds-on favouritism in the N.I. Hotels Federation Beginners Chase at Down Royal yesterday.

Willie Mullins continued his fine run of success when taking the two big races at Gowran Park.

WHEN Howard Johnson retired from training in England his principal patrons, Graham and Andrea Wylie, decided to send a batch of horses to Willie Mullins.

JACKSONSLADY, trained and partly-owned by Philip Dempsey, proved best in the listed Grabel Mares Hurdle on the opening day of Punchestown’s winter season.

ANDREW McNamara doubled-up on Equation and her former stable-companion Fearnwood Girl in last night’s maiden hurdle action in Sligo.

A SUPERB 239/1 treble by Davy Russell, on Instinctive, Playboy Luke and Meadows Thyne, proved the highlight of yesterday’s action at Gowran Park.

THE famous Beef Or Salmon colours of Joe Craig were carried to victory by the well-backed Awkward Moment in the INH Stallion Owners Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick yesterday.

AMATEUR Brian O’Connell is looking forward to a dream first ride in Britain on Dunguib in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham next week.

WILLIE Mullins was handed a timely boost with the victory of Ballytrim in the Powers Ulster Grand National EBF Handicap Chase, part of a treble at Downpatrick yesterday.

PUNTERS took a St. Patrick’s Day pasting at both Down Royal and Wexford yesterday as a succession of favourites, three of them at odds-on, were turned over.

Former Newcastle United head coach and academy manager Brian Eastick has been appointed the new Republic of Ireland Under-21 assistant manager.

NATIVE SCOUT, fourth behind Isio and Azertyuiop in the recent Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot, returned to winning form when justifying favouritism in the Grade 3 Byrne Group Plc Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown yesterday.

NORTHERN IRELAND manager Sammy McIlroy has been given permission to talk to Second Division Stockport County about taking over the vacant manager’s position at Edgeley Park.

Northern Ireland manager Sammy McIlroy has been given permission to talk to Second Division Stockport County about taking over the vacant manager’s position at Edgeley Park.

THE identity of the next Republic of Ireland manager will move a big step closer to being decided this week when the three men heading the FAI’s search fly to England to interview some of the leading candidates.

Frank Stapleton has revealed he has been interviewed for the vacant Republic of Ireland manager's job.