€37,550 bonuses to HRI chief to be repaid

FIVE-FIGURE bonuses awarded by Horse Racing Ireland to its chief executive, Brian Kavanagh, are to be repaid in full to the State.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney confirmed that the bonuses, relating to the years 2008/2009, would be refunded after the details of the issue were revealed by the Irish Examiner.

Horse Racing Ireland had awarded Mr Kavanagh a total of €122,000 in bonuses for 2008 and 2009, but payment of some €37,550 of this sum was deferred.