Legal experts to head horse racing appeals body

Retired Supreme Court judge, Mr Justice Ronan Keane, and former Attorney General, Eoghan Fitzsimons SC, are to head a new appeals body for Irish horse racing, it emerged today.

The Turf Club revealed the two legal experts, who have 25 years experience in the courts, would chair the tribunal ruling on matters such as doping offences, jockey suspensions and careless riding.

The Appeals Body will begin its work on February 1, adjudicating on all racecourse matters in the same way as the Jockey Club in England.

And as part of improved openness and transparency at the Turf Club, the press will also be invited to attend hearings where video footage from races is being shown.

Pierce Molony, Turf Club senior steward, said the independence of the regulatory body was paramount to ensure complete confidence in the integrity of racing.

“The appointments of such high profile legal experts to the independent appeals body further enhances the independence and transparency of the appeal system and will give confidence to all appellants that their cases will be dealt with in a fair and impartial manner,” he said.

Mr Molony added the stewards both on the racecourse and through the new appeals system would make every effort possible to ensure racing’s integrity was upheld.

Former senior steward of the Turf Club, Raymond J Rooney, and former senior steward of the INHS committee, Roy Craigie will act as vice-chairmen of the non-independent section of the Appeals Body.

Well known Limerick solicitor and chairman of the Garda Complaints Board, Dr Gordon Holmes, has been asked to head up the Referrals Committee.