Dr. Seán Brady:

We had planned an awards night bringing together all of the people involved in the industry. We were informed that this event would be picketed. The event was cancelled. Racing at Shelbourne Park did not stop that night.

When that information was presented to the board, a decision was made by the board to cease racing in Harold's Cross. The executive did risk analysis on this and, as part of it, we were advised by the property people that vacant possession was very important in realising value. There have been protests in other areas in this country so, based on a risk analysis, we decided to close Harold's Cross immediately. We did that job immediately after the board decision. The board made its decision at 9.45 and we proceeded to do it then.

I and the IGB regret absolutely the inconvenience to many genuine greyhound people in Dublin. As the chairman said earlier, we will bend over backwards. We accept that people who were part of the infrastructure of Harold's Cross were discommoded and we are sorry about that.