O’Donoghue defends €300m racing fund

SPORTS Minister John O’Donoghue has defended a decision to give an extra €300 million to a hardship fund for the horse and greyhound racing - double the amount already allocated.

Mr O’Donoghue said without an additional €300 million in State money being poured into the fund, the industries would face “very severe financial difficulties” and 35,000 jobs would be under threat.

“Both industries would be forced immediately into reducing significantly their current levels of activity and I am convinced that their long-term viability would be precarious,” he said.