Bomb scare hampers start of Tralee Festival

Tralee’s five-day festival got off to a belated start after a bomb scare caused the first race to be delayed by almost 45 minutes.

With day one only getting the go-ahead after passing an early morning inspection, racegoers at the Co Kerry track were evacuated until security officials were satisfied nobody was in danger.

A statement from Tralee read: “Tralee racecourse received a phone call at 14.40 today, as the horses were going down to the start for the first race, stating that a bomb had been placed on the premises.

“The Gardaí were immediately notified and a decision was taken to evacuate the enclosures in the interest of everybody’s safety.

“The horses were recalled from the start and a thorough search of the premises was carried out by Gardaí, racecourse security and racecourse management.

“When the all-clear was given, patrons were allowed back into the enclosures and racing continued at 15.28.

“We would like to thank all present for their co-operation and the matter is now in the hands of the Gardaí.

“The rest of the five-day Tralee Racing Festival will continue as normal tomorrow with the first race off at 14.45.”

Following the delay, John Murphy’s Juniper Berry took home the first prize in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies’ Maiden, in which she repelled Carribean Sunset to land odds of 11-2 by a neck.