Bord na gCon

Bord na gCon (IPA-ga|bˠoːɾˠd̪ˠ nə ɡon̪ˠ; in English, the Irish Greyhounds Board) is an Irish semi-state body charged with regulating and promoting greyhound racing in Irelandcite web|url=http://www.arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie/sport/agencies/greyhound_board.html|title=Bord na gCon|work=Sport Agencies|publisher=Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism|accessdate=2008-07-17] . The board has been active in developing the sport in Ireland since its founding in 1958, but has also drawn criticism for acting independently of the government.

History

Bord na gCon was established under the Greyhound Industry Act of 1958 with a number of aims. The body was formed to regulate the industry, operate a tote betting system, licence and authorise each stadium, its officials, and its on-course bookmakers, and promote the sport through advertising and prize grants. Bord na gCon received €14.5 million in state funding during 2007 but has been criticised as lacking government oversightcite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/activities-of-greyhound-board-went-unsupervised-1421822.html|title=Activities of greyhound board 'went unsupervised'|last=Brennan|first=Michael|date=2008-06-27|publisher=Irish Independent|accessdate=2008-07-17] . Bord na gCon has been active in improving Ireland's Greyhound Stadia in recent years, and in 2007 announced a €28 million investment in its facilities in Limerick and Kilkenny.cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/other/2007/0724/greyhounds.html|title=Bord Na gCon announces €28m investment|date=2007-07-24|publisher=RTÉ News|accessdate=2008-07-17]

The board has long had a comprehensive policy on doping in the sport, even including Viagra on its list of banned substances.cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2001/jun/21/world.paulkelso?commentpage=1|title=Racetrack ban after Viagra gets greyhounds going|last=Kelso|first=Paul|date=2001-06-21|publisher=The Guardian|accessdate=2008-07-17] However, in 2006 Bord na gCon was imbued with controversy. A report illustrating that two dogs had tested positive for the banned substance EPO was not made public by the board, contrary to standard practice. Aidan Tynan, the board's CEO at the time, sent a letter to the Minister for Sport, John O'Donoghue, outlining his concern with the situation. He was then removed from his position by the board. A government report subsequently criticised the board for its actionscite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/revealed-the-dogdoping-secret-report-130213.html|title=Revealed: the dog-doping secret report|last=Corcoran|first=Jody|date=2006-05-14|publisher=Irish Independent|accessdate=2008-07-17] cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0704/bordnagcon.html?rss|title=Govt to re-examine laws after Bord na gCon report|date=2006-07-04|publisher=RTÉ News|accessdate=2008-07-17] , and a 2008 report by the Comptroller and Auditor General found some irregularities in the board's accounts.cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0611/breaking69.htm|title=Bord na gCon investigation published|last=Daily|first=Darina|date=2008-06-11|publisher=The Irish Times|accessdate=2008-07-17]

Stadia

Bord na gCon regulates all of Ireland's Greyhound Stadia. There are stadia in the following locationscite web|url=http://www.igb.ie/|title=Home Page (see Stadia)|publisher=Irish Greyhound Board|accessdate=2008-07-17] :

Connaught
* Galway

Leinster
* Dublin (Harold's Cross Stadium, Shelbourne Park)
* Dundalk
* Eniscorthy
* Kilkenny
* Longford
* Mullingar
* Newbridge
* Waterford

Munster

* Cork
* Clonmel
* Thurles
* Limerick
* Tralee
* Youghal

Ulster

* Lifford

See also

* Greyhound racing in the United Kingdom
* Horse Racing Ireland
* State-sponsored bodies of the Republic of Ireland

References

External links

* [http://www.igb.ie/ Irish Greyhound Board - Official Site]