Investigation launched into three suspected fraud cases at Greyhound Racing Ireland

Greyhound Racing Ireland received €19,820,500 in State funding last year. File picture: Jim Coughlan

The regulator of Irish greyhound racing has confirmed an investigation has been launched into three suspected fraud cases, resulting in potential losses of €60,000. 

The detail is included in the 2025 annual report filed by Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI), in which both the regulator, and Comptroller and Auditor General Seamus McCarthy note the alleged cases. 

An independent third party is currently conducting an investigation into the three instances of suspected fraud, which were identified by management, the report notes.

In its 2025 annual report, GRI, also known as Rásaíocht Con Éireann, recorded a deficit from racing activity of €398,004, a 61% increase on 2024, when this figure stood at €246,596.

The GRI received €19,820,500 in State funding through an allocation from the ‘Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund’, an increase when compared to 2024, when it received €19m.

It received €1,610,370 in contributions from owners and sponsors, compared to €1,672,463 in 2024.

Meanwhile, operating costs of racing activities grew last year, from €12.2m in 2024, to more than €12.98m in 2025.

The financial statements also report an operating surplus of €0.3m for the year. This compares to €0.6m in 2024.

Racing activity was “in line with previous years”, the report notes. Race programmes consisted of 1,464 race meetings during 2025, hosting 14,889 individual races.

More than 88,120 greyhounds were entered into these races.

According to the annual report, 351,637 patrons attended greyhound racing events in 2025. This compares to 358,141 for the previous year.

Prize money for the year was €9.7m, with GRI contributing 83% of this total. The remainder of prize money arose from race, entry, fees, and direct sponsorship contributions.

In the report, GRI chief executive Tim Lucey said the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, provided by the Department of Agriculture, has “played a crucial role in supporting RCÉ’s long-term industry development".

Last year, this funding was used for “significant investment in priority areas” including greyhound care and foster care centres, its contribution to prize money, “grant support for private stadiums, and wider greyhound care and welfare initiatives". At the end of December 2025, a total of 62,328 greyhounds were subject to traceability.

The Irish Retired Greyhound Trust (IRGT), rehomed 1,157 greyhounds last year, with the report noting rehoming continued to be challenging for both domestic and international animal organisations.

Private greyhound rehoming organisations in Ireland receive financial support from the IRGT to assist with the veterinary costs involved in preparing a retired greyhound for rehoming, the report notes. 

The IRGT also provides the organisations with assistance towards any international transport costs. These organisations can also obtain an additional €100 per retired greyhound rehomed in Ireland to "encourage and further facilitate" domestic rehomings.

"RCÉ also provides a general funding to rehoming agencies actively involved in the rehoming of greyhounds abroad. Payment is directly related to activity levels."