Dog racing chairman refuses to step aside

EMBATTLED Irish Greyhound Board chairman Paschal Taggart refused to step aside yesterday over his role in the doped greyhounds scandal, despite calls to do so from the opposition.

The businessman, who heads the State's greyhound board, has faced a barrage of criticism following the controversial sacking of the board's chief executive Aidan Tynan, and revelations that two positive findings for EPO a red blood cell booster that aids stamina were suppressed from publication.

The greyhound industry has received €70 million in State aid in recent years, and has grown into a significant business with an annual tote income of over €50m.