O'Donoghue demands report on greyhound doping scandal

Sports Minister John O’Donoghue tonight demanded an urgent report from Bord na gCon into the sacking of its chief executive amid a row over the doping of greyhounds.

Aidan Tynan was dismissed following a bitter dispute with the chairman of the body, Paschal Taggart, over whether drugs offences should be publicised.

A spokeswoman for the minister said he would not comment further until he has considered the report.

“The minister has looked for an urgent report from the chairman of Bord na gCon. The minister will respond further when he has received and considered that report,” the spokeswoman said.

It is understood the minister received a letter from Mr Tynan last week complaining about a board decision not to publish the findings of drug abuse. The letter relates to a case last summer where EPO was found in a dog called ‘Barefoot Jenny’. The results were not made public.

But it is understood the trainers involved, one of whom is the well-known greyhound expert from Co Kilkenny Paul Hennessy, were fined €1,000.

The banned substance erythropoietin EPO is better known for doping scandals involving cyclists in the Tour de France. An effective but dangerous stimulant EPO enhances the body’s ability to produce red blood cells.

Mr Taggart has insisted the board had decided not to make the case public because it was the first time they had tested for EPO. And he said it was a unanimous decision by the board to remove Mr Tynan.

Mr Taggart has revealed that all doping offences would be publicised in the future.