Bookies get up to €48k over loss of pitches

Three bookmakers have been awarded between €23,000 and €48,000 by the High Court arising out of the loss of their betting ring pitch positions at Dundalk racecourse.

The dispute arose following the €35m redevelopment of the stadium in 2007 as an all-weather track.

Yesterday Mr Justice Gerard Hogan awarded €48,376 to Newry-based bookie Patrick O’Hare and €41,484 to John Hughes, a prominent racing commentator on British TV. Earlier this month, he awarded €23,929 to Francis Hyland, an officer of the bookies’ representative body, the Irish National Bookmakers Association.