Four released without charge over dog kidnap

Four men arrested in connection with the kidnapping of one of the country’s fastest greyhounds have been released without charge.

Files are to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions in respect of each man.

Clares Rocket was stolen from his kennels at the training yard of Graham Holland in Golden, Co Tipperary, between last Sunday night and last Monday morning.

Four men, including convicted Limerick drug dealer Christy Keane were arrested and questioned by gardaí. A well-known dissident was also arrested as part of the Garda probe.

According to a Garda spokesman, two of the men were released from Tipperary Garda Station late last night, and the other two were released from Clonmel Garda Station at around 1.30am.

Gardaí arrested the four men in two separate operations late on Tuesday night. They recovered the greyhound in a car along with two men near Waterford.

Graham Holland and the dog’s part owner Joe Cahill, head of the Fullhouse syndicate, collected the dog from Tipperary Garda station late Tuesday night after gardaí contacted them.

Mr Holland said he would be increasing security at his home and kennels in Golden.

He said a ransom had been requested by the gang but no money was handed over.

He said he hoped Clares Rocket would compete in next year’s English Derby — which has commanded up to £250,000 (€296,000) for first place in recent years.

“ It takes a lot of winning and there are a lot of ifs and buts, but [Rocket] is a dog that’s good enough to win it, if he’s lucky enough.”