Irish greyhound regulator knew of welfare issues at kennels last year, months before its closure

Multiple owners of greyhounds made complaints to industry body, Greyhound Racing Ireland, between October 2024 and January 2025 about what they claim was mistreatment of their animals at the kennels, located in the west of the country. File picture

The regulator of Irish greyhound racing was aware of issues at a kennels, which closed in April on the back of a serious welfare incident, from late last year.

The Irish Examiner has spoken to multiple owners of greyhounds who made complaints to industry body, Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI), between October 2024 and January 2025 about what they claim was mistreatment of their animals at the kennels, located in the west of the country.

Several of those owners understood GRI welfare officers had been dispatched to the kennels at the time to assess the situation.

One owner noted one of their animals had apparently disappeared from the kennels at the time of their complaint. 

Another said their dogs were in a dishevelled state when they visited and did not appear to have been adequately cared for.

Many of the animals present had been placed there by UK owners who only became aware of the issue at the kennels when information leaked online last week.

At that time, GRI released a statement to confirm the kennels had been the site of the serious welfare incident, which is believed to have left some animals dead and many more missing.

The body said following “a number” of welfare inspections “concerns escalated in late April, prompting immediate intervention” by GRI officers and veterinary professionals.

The Irish Examiner queried GRI as to why, given the issues at the kennels were raised last year, the kennels remained open until late April — six months later.

The regulator was further queried as to what progress has been made in sourcing the animals that had gone missing from the kennels.

GRI did not directly respond to those queries, and instead referred the Irish Examiner back to the body’s statement issued last week.

Separately, confusion surrounds the nature of the investigation at the kennels. Last week, GRI said it “continues to engage with the relevant authorities, including An Garda Síochána, in relation to the incident”.

“As the matter is currently under investigation and involves a deeply sensitive personal situation, no further comment is being provided at this time,” the body said.

However, following repeat inquiries, a spokesperson for An Garda Siochána said “there is no Garda investigation at this time”.

Asked again what was the nature of its interaction with the gardaí regarding the incident, GRI’s spokesperson again declined to elaborate.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy, meanwhile, said “very serious questions must be posed” to GRI in light of the events at the kennel.

“What apparently went on in this kennel sounds absolutely horrifying,” he said.