The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
‘Doggy dispute cost Kerry dearly’
FIANNA Fáil TD John Brassil welcomed the end of a dispute between greyhound owners and the industry he said cost Kerry dog interests dearly.
Racing at the country’s top venue Shelbourne Park ground to a standstill in recent months as owners and trainers picketed the stadium in a dispute with Bord na gCon over its closure of Harold’s Cross stadium
The long-running dispute reverberated much further than simply the capital - particulary hitting rural areas of strong racing credentials like North Kerry.
The dispute came to an end in the past week as the picketers finally called off the action in response to a range of measures promised by the Greyhound Board - that did not include the re-opening of Harold’s Cross, however.
Chief among the measures is an increase in prize money set to come as manna from heaven at a time of falling revenues in general for the industry.
Deputy Brassil said the end of the dispute should now be taken as an opportunity for the industry to galvanise to develop the sport.
“First of all, I want to thank those who engaged in picketing Shelbourne Park for taking this decision in in the best interests of the industry. Not only was the picket having a negative impact on racing in the capital, it was proving very costly to owners and trainers, across the country, including here in Kerry,” Deputy Brassil said.
“I believe that the decision of Bord na gConn to substantially increase prize money for racing in Ireland will be a turning point for the industry. Dog owners and trainers badly need this increase in funding to ensure that the industry remains viable and prosperous for all involved.”
However, he hit out at unnamed parties for making ‘wild claims’ at public meetings during the dispute:
“The only upshot of the appearance of the Bord before the PAC is the confirmation that the organisation is not corrupt and that no misappropriation of funds took place. Those who brought these clouds of doubt over the industry by making wild claims at public meetings have damaged the industry.”
“These doubts, I believe, extended the picket, and cost the industry, the owners and trainers money. However, it’s time to move on, and to work together to build up the industry and the sport to its former levels.”