Potential closure of dog track is branded a ‘hatchet job’
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A DELEGATION representing Enniscorthy Greyhound Track has branded recommendations to close the facility a ‘ hatchet job’ at a special meeting with Wexford County Council.
Former Fine Gael councillor Paddy Kavanagh made a return to the council chamber yesterday (Monday) as he headed up a delegation which also included John Somers and Myles Roban which sought the support of the members.
The delegation blasted the Indecon report which recommended the track’s closure, stating that the figures published were actually incorrect. While the report stated that attendance figures at the track were 13,515, the actual attendance was 19,232.
This means that while the report had the track at 5th in the South East in terms of attendance, it is in actual fact 2nd and 6th in the whole country, according to the delegation.
‘This simple error could fundamentally change the findings of the report in regard to the South East region and the viability of our track,’ the group said.
Mr Kavanagh said that if the track closed, it would be another devastating blow for the area and rural Ireland as a whole.
Mr Somers also stated that the report pitched tracks owned by the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) against private greyhound tracks like Enniscorthy and that if Enniscorthy closed, it was likely four other private tracks would follow.
Mr Roban pointed out that if funding was withdrawn for the track, that would be it; it would be forced to close. He said that there were a lot of discrepancies in the report, not least of all the attendance figures, and that they are currently taking legal advice on the matter. Mr Roban added that the track was worth about €2 million to the local economy each year and is worth some €200,000 to local community groups and charities. He said while Enniscorthy was breaking even in the last three years, the vast majority of other greyhound tracks in the country were operating at a loss.
Cllr Kathleen Codd Nolan, who is regularly in attendance at the track, said ‘it would be a huge loss to the local area as people travel from all over to attend’.
Cllr Jim Codd said that having previously voiced his support for the track, he had come to the attention of ‘ keyboard warriors’ who have ‘circulated my name and said they do all kinds of things’. ‘What I will say,’ he continued, ‘is that to lose the track would be a very sad thing for Wexford.’
Chairman Michael Sheehan said that Cllr Codd was not alone in attracting online attention after pledging his support. Several members pledged to do all they can to support Enniscorthy Greyhound Track and keep the gates open.
Cllr Sheehan proposed a resolution to support the greyhound track, oppose any closure and to pledge financial assistance where available to examine the report. His motion was adopted unanimously by the members.
A public meeting in relation to the track is to take place tomorrow night ( Wednesday) at 8 p.m. in The Riverside Park Hotel.
THIS SIMPLE ERROR COULD FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE THE FINDINGS OF THE REPORT AND THE VIABILITY OF OUR TRACK