Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Ronan Keane has been named as the first chairman of Irish racing's new appeals body which officially comes into existence today.
The new body, which was approved by the Turf Club stewards last month, consists of two divisions with each consisting of three members.
"In today's world, the independence of the regulatory body is paramount to ensure there is complete confidence in the integrity of racing," said Turf Club Senior Steward Pierce Molony. "The stewards on the track and through the new appeals system will make every possible effort to ensure this continues."
The appointment of Justice Keane comes on the back of his retirement last year after 25 years as a judge. His Deputy Chairman on the new body will be the former Attorney General Eoghan Fitzsimons who has been a senior counsel for the past 25 years.
In charge of the referrals committee will be Limerick solicitor Dr Gordon Holmes, who is currently chairman of the Garda Complaints Board and the Parole Board. Former Senior Steward Ray Rooney, and former Senior Steward of the INHS committee Roy Craigie have been named as vice-chairmen of the non-independent section of the appeals body.
Racing's appeals system has proved controversial in the past with some high-profile cases continuing onto the High Court. The new body is the Turf Club's attempt to overhaul the system.
In 2001 Michael Kinane successfully applied for a High Court injunction which enabled him to ride Galileo in the King George after an appeal against a two-day ban was turned down by the old Appeals & Referrals Committee.
Two years later the Eddie Joe's Racing syndicate, owners of Davids Lad, took their case to the High Court after an appeal to the Turf Club against a 42-day ban was turned down.
The new chairman or the deputy chairman will preside over one division in the system while the other can be presided over by one of the vice-chairmen.
Individuals appearing before the appeals body can express a view as to which division they want their case to be heard before, but ultimately the decision will be at the discretion of the chairman or the deputy chairman.
