Cian O'Connor hit out at his detractors last night, once again declaring his innocence over the positive drugs test on his Olympic horse Waterford Crystal and pledging to clear his name.
"We don't accept the findings of sample A on Waterford Crystal and that's why we've asked for a confirmatory analysis," O'Connor told The Irish Times yesterday.
"The FEI has informed us that they are proceeding with the Waterford Crystal medication case and that pleases me greatly. It's imperative that the B sample is tested because it's my only chance of proving my innocence.
"I am adamant that I want the B test to be completed. That was always the intention from the start, but someone is really tricking around."
Speaking about allegations on RTÉ yesterday that the human schizophrenia drug Fluphenazine had been found in samples taken from both Waterford Crystal and a second horse, ABC Landliebe, O'Connor said: "I don't have any hassle with discussing the issue, but I'm going on the advice of my legal people. I will comment on the medication with my vet when the matter is complete."
O'Connor's vet Mr James Sheeran was unavailable for comment when contacted by The Irish Times yesterday.
O'Connor did however remark on the possible link between a document faxed anonymously to the RTÉ newsroom yesterday morning and the break-in at the Equestrian Federation of Ireland offices in Kill on Monday night when documentation believed to be relevant to the case was stolen.
"It would seem strange that people are persistently seeking this information and the day after a robbery at the EFI that this arose on air.
"This would beg the question, who is out to get who, and what are people's motives?
"I would have no will or motive either to destroy the B sample or to take anything from the EFI. I have more documentation on this than they do. This looks like some individuals would go to any lengths, exhaust every possibility to see me destroyed in a business capacity, as well as my name and reputation.
"A journalist has come out and says he has a reliable source and that he had the information last Thursday that something sensational was going to break. But how are these people privy to information before both the Equestrian Federation of Ireland and the person responsible. I'd agree with Avril Doyle that there's more questions than answers here.
"I don't want this hush hush, I want the truth to come out, but as it's ongoing it would be wrong of me to say any more," O'Connor said.
Despite the controversy, he is attempting to continue business as usual and will be competing at the Champions of the Year Show, which runs from today until Sunday at the Kill International Equestrian Centre in Co Kildare.
Chief Supt Michael Byrnes of Naas was put in charge of the case yesterday morning, but the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Dublin was brought in to assist in the inquiry later in the day.