Judgment reserved in Vinnie dog syndicate case

THE High Court has reserved judgment in a case brought by actor Vinnie Jones and two other members of a greyhound-owning syndicate who claimed they were not afforded proper procedures to defend themselves against a charge that their winning dog failed a drug test.

The claim was made during a two-day hearing of a judicial review application against the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) by the syndicate which owned the winning greyhound, called “Boavista”, at the centre of drug test allegations in 2006.

The syndicate comprises Mr Jones, a former footballer and star of films including Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Pat Curtin, a leading greyhound trainer and Denis Gould, a bookie. Mr Curtin’s sister, Bridget, who was the handler of Boavista, is also one of the applicants in the High Court proceedings.

Mr Justice Danie Herbert said yesterday he would give his decision on the case later.

The case centres on a decision by the ICC to hold an inquiry into the alleged finding of the controlled drug, amphetamine, in Boavista which won the JP McManus Irish Cup course held at Limerick Race Track on February 26, 2006.

As a result of a drug test on the dog, the €80,000 purse from the race was frozen although, the court heard yesterday, all winning bets were paid out.

The syndicate and Ms Curtin claim the ICC did not provide full disclosure of the allegations against them after it had found the dog had tested positive and decided to hold an inquiry.

They sought an order from the High Court restraining the inquiry from taking place in the manner as originally proposed. They claim the inquiry, as constituted, was in breach of natural justice as well as in breach of the ICC’s own rules.

They say that all documentation, including statements and names and addresses of all witnesses, should first be supplied to them before an inquiry takes place.

Counsel for the syndicate and Ms Curtin, said the allegations were of a very serious nature, not just in relation to the greyhound racing and coursing industry but in relation to the criminal law. The allegation that an amphetamine had been found was subject to serious penalties under both the Misuse of Drugs Acts and the Animal Remedies Act, Mr Sutton said.

Counsel said Mr Curtin, a highly successful greyhound trainer, was most concerned about the inquiry because any adverse findings could have serious financial consequences for his business.

The ICC denies the syndicate has not been afforded fair procedures.