Bord na gCon - Minister should act on Taggart

THE press conference called by Paschal Taggart, the controversial chairman of Bord na gCon, was in direct and deliberate defiance of Sports Minister John O’Donoghue.

Throughout the spectacle that the running of the board is perceived since the start of this episode, Mr Taggart has adopted the mantle of protector and defender of the industry.

That attitude has inevitably led to the minister setting up an investigation by a former secretary general of the Department of Justice into the sacking of Bord na gCon chief executive Aidan Tynan.

It was that incident which sparked the controversy, and no matter how much Mr Taggart may dismiss the link between the two, that is the perceived wisdom held by the public.

Given that the minister had set up an independent inquiry, it was entirely inappropriate for Mr Taggart to persist with holding his own press conference on Saturday.

He has conveyed his intention of remaining head of the greyhound industry board, which has received €70 million of taxpayers’ money.

Mr Taggart is not invincible. He should be dismissed, because at this stage the minister has no other option in light of the man’s defiance and his maverick attitude to one of the most important Irish sports industries.