Independent anti-doping body urged for greyhound industry

An independent anti-doping agency for the greyhound industry may be set up by the Government, it emerged tonight.

The recommendation was made in the long-awaited independent report into an alleged doping cover-up within Bord na gCon, which the Cabinet considered today.

Former civil servant Tim Dalton was appointed by Minister for Sport John O’Donoghue in February to inquire into general corporate governance issues within Bord na gCon, the doping of racing greyhounds and the dismissal of the board’s chief executive, Aidan Tynan, last January.

Mr O’Donoghue said the Government agreed to implement the key recommendations made in the Dalton Report, including restricting the chairman’s term to five years and increasing the size of the board from seven to nine members.

He added: “I will consider the establishment of a Doping Control Committee as an agency independent of Bord na gCon.

“I also undertake a review of greyhound industry legislation with a view to bringing it into line with best current practice for the administration of the industry.”

The minister said he would consult fully with Bord na gCon in this process.

Mr O’Donoghue added: “I consider that the implementation of the recommendations of the Dalton Report will be of benefit to the greyhound industry and will bring it in line with best current practice for state boards.”

Mr Dalton also called for more female members to be appointed to the board, in line with other state boards.

Ordinary members must not serve longer than two three-year terms, he suggested.

Mr Dalton also said that the tensions and very poor state of staff morale now evident within Bord na gCon needed to be addressed.

He said that the posting on the internet of material which was highly critical of identifiable members of board staff was a scurrilous development.

The 15 staff severance deals in the last 10 years, which cost €1m, were high, he added.

Mr O’Donoghue set up the inquiry into Bord na gCon after Mr Tynan was sacked in controversial circumstances.

Mr Tynan had claimed that the board’s chairman, Paschal Taggart, had covered up the findings of positive dope tests on two greyhounds.

Mr Taggart resigned from his position earlier this week.

Mr Tynan felt he was sacked as a result of sending the controversial letter to the minister.

However Mr Dalton said relations between the board and Mr Tynan were worsening before he sent the letter to Mr O’Donoghue.