HRI dispute Desmond’s claims

PAUL FINEGAN, betting division manager of Horse Racing Ireland, yesterday responded to claims made by on-course bookmaker Jim Desmond in the Irish Examiner on Thursday.

Desmond had heavily criticised HRI, following the “Dixie’’ Dalton debacle at Listowel last Saturday, when the bookmaker was unable to meet some 30,000 of liabilities.

Said Finegan: “I wish to clarify a number of issues which have entered the public domain, following publicity around the alleged non-payment of winning bets by a bookmaker, Mr Dalton, at the Listowel Festival. We are treating these allegations very seriously and are determined that all questions in relation to this matter will be answered.