New greyhound policing body recommended

The Minister for Sport is likely to give responsibility for monitoring doping in greyhound racing to an independent body rather than allowing the sport to continue regulating itself.

Publishing a report into the recent dog-doping row and the dismissal of Bord na gCon's chief executive Aidan Tynan, John O'Donoghue said he was considering setting up a doping control committee that would be independent of the State board.

The board's chairman, Paschal Taggart, is due to step down on Friday. He is to answer questions about the controversy at the Dáil Public Accounts Committee tomorrow. Mr Taggart has held the post since 1995 and originally planned to resign in May 2007.

Mr O'Donoghue also said he would review the legislation governing the sport in consultation with the board.

The report, written by former justice department secretary general, Tim Dalton, recommends both measures. Mr O'Donoghue said that he intended to implement all of Mr Dalton's recommendations.

In a statement released with the report yesterday, he said: "I consider that the implementation of the recommendations of the Dalton report will be of benefit to the greyhound industry and will bring it in line with best current practice for State boards."

Mr O'Donoghue commissioned the report in January after the board dismissed Mr Tynan. He had written to the Minister informing him of the board disciplinary body's decision to fine two greyhound trainers, Paul Hennessy and John Kiely, after dogs in their charge tested positive for a performance-boosting drug, erythropoietin (EPO).

After the hearing in November, the disciplinary body, known as the control committee, decided against publishing details of the hearings, which was contrary to its normal practice.

In January, Mr Tynan wrote to the Minister expressing concern at this decision, and the board subsequently dismissed him.

Mr Taggart has always insisted that the decision was the result of differences between the board and Mr Tynan over financial and development issues.

Mr Dalton's report confirms this, but says that the chief executive's letter to the Minister hastened the board's decision to end his employment.

Mr Taggart would not comment on the report last night. Mr Tynan could not be contacted for his reaction.

Regulation of doping in greyhound racing should be the responsibility of an independent body and publication of positive tests should be mandatory. It should also look at classifying certain substances as prohibited.

The board's decision to dismiss chief executive Aidan Tynan in January was not a direct result of his decision to write to Sports Minister John O'Donoghue, informing him of a board disciplinary hearing that fined two trainers whose dogs tested positive for EPO.

The legislation governing the sport needs to be modernised and the board needs to address tensions and morale problems within its senior ranks.