IGB puts direct debit repayment plan in place for Enniscorthy track

Wexford’s indebted greyhound track has revealed that it has had to negotiate direct debit repayment plans to allow it stay in business.

The track has been struggling financially for a number of years and its latest accounts have revealed its net liabilities now stand at €96,400.

The auditors of the privately owned track said there was uncertainty about its ability to trade as a going concern and it requires the support of its bankers and the Irish Greyhound Board to keep trading.

“[The IGB] is the company’s most significant creditor and they have agreed to put a direct debit payment structure in place in order to facilitate the company in the repayment the debt,” said the auditor’s note.

In the recent industry report by Indecon consultants to Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney, Enniscorthy was one of seven tracks which recorded an attendance of less than 25,000 a year.

Figures contained in the report, before it was redacted, showed that in 2013 just 18,489 attended race nights in Enniscorthy.

Only Kilkenny, Lifford, Youghal, and Longford had fewer people paying through the stiles.

Enniscorthy had 98 nights of racing last year, which attracted an average attendance of 188 people each night.

According to the same report, it cost the industry €216,833 to keep the track going last year when prize money grants and levies were taken into account.

According to board minutes from the IGB, it received a number of requests from Enniscorthy to help it deal with cash difficulties.