A High Court action over a failed drug test on a winning greyhound part-owned by actor and former professional footballer Vinnie Jones (above) may be settled today.
Mr Jones is a member of a three-man syndicate that ran “Boavista” to victory in the €80,000 JP McManus Irish Cup in February 2006. The dog failed a drug test and an Irish Coursing Club (ICC) inquiry disqualified it. No adverse findings were made personally against Mr Jones or his fellow syndicate members, trainer Pat Curtin and bookie Denis Gould.
However, the syndicate, along with Mr Curtin’s sister and greyhound handler Bridget Curtin, sought a judicial review of the ICC’s decision. They claimed they were not afforded proper procedures by the ICC in relation to the inquiry and also alleged there had not been full disclosure of the allegations against them.
The ICC opposed their application, as did retired businessman Michael Kelleher, owner of the greyhound that came second. Mr Kelleher said he was being deprived of the €80,000 purse, which remains undistributed some seven years later.
Gavin Ralston SC, for the ICC, said the terms of any settlement had to be relayed to an ICC committee of 21 members. While they were approaching getting a majority of that, more time was needed, he said. The judge adjourned the matter to today.