End of greyhound racing in London has repercussions for Irish owners and breeders

The long-running and turbulent saga of the future of Wimbledon greyhound stadium was dealt what looks a knockout blow yesterday as Mayor of London Sadiq Khan agreed the site should be used as a new stadium for AFC Wimbledon.

Irish businessman Paschal Taggart has been spearheading a bid to retain greyhound racing in the area and had been given reason for optimism when former mayor Boris Johnson had granted the track a reprieve following Merton council’s decision to press ahead with the Galliard Homes development late last year.

Just a couple of months ago Taggart, whose plans for the site included affordable housing, confirmed he had the backing of the local residents’ committee and felt they had a chance of getting mayor Khan on board.