Minister urges discretion over greyhound doping scandal
Sports Minister John O’Donoghue today urged all sides in the Bord na gCon dispute not to air details of the controversy in public.
With Tom Dalton, former secretary general of the Department of Justice, probing the controversial sacking of the board’s chief executive Aidan Tynan in the wake of a greyhound doping scandal, the minister called on those closest to the row to remain silent.
“I would prefer that people desist from public comment pending receipt of Mr Dalton’s report,” Mr O’Donoghue said.
The minister also said he had written to all the parties involved requesting them to make all necessary records available.
“I have also stated that whilst I am aware that some other matters under inquiry may be exciting people to start briefing the media, I consider it would be distinctly unhelpful in view of the fact that inquiry is ongoing,” he said.
The minister said he had spoken to, and written to, Bord na gCon chairman Paschal Taggart, urging him not to comment.
“I’ve also told Mr Taggart in that letter that I regarded any briefings to the media as being distinctly unhelpful,” he said.
Mr O’Donoghue has already received a report on the dismissal of former Bord na gCon chief executive Aidan Tynan and the management of drugs offences from chairman Paschal Taggart.
Mr Tynan was dismissed after the board learned he had written to the minister over a decision not to publish details about EPO doping offences which ended with two trainers being fined.
