Irish greyhound racing was left reeling this morning with the news that the freehold landlords of Shelbourne Park Stadium are seeking planning permission for housing. The news was broken by The Irish Times.
So how serious is the threat and how should Irish racing react? Who better to ask for an impartial view than the most successful chairman of the Irish Greyhound Board in its history, Paschal Taggart. Not only is Taggart a successful Dublin based property developer in his own right, he remains a passionate greyhound supporter and owner.
He said: “The Greyhound Board hold all the aces in these negotiations. Shelbourne has a 100 year sporting lease, just as they have at other tracks including Galway, Kilkenny and Youghal. Don’t confuse the fact that the IGB only own two acres. With the lease they have, they might as well own the seven. They would be very difficult to dislodge and the site is probably worth around €35m.
“But it is a little more complicated than just the legal side. It is well known that there is a chronic shortage of housing and commercial property in Dublin 4.
“What the Greyhound Board have to bear in mind is that the Irish Government and Dublin County Council may be keen to see the site developed. Do they really want a legal fight with those two organisations? We know that there is already some resistance to the Government’s funding of greyhound racing.”
Taggart – who oversaw greyhound racing when attendances overtook horse racing for the only time ever – strongly believes that greyhound racing in Dublin has a future, though he wouldn’t rule out a relocation.
He said: “If you are going to make reference to the option to plans for a new track beside the M50, I want to make it absolutely clear that it has fuck all to do with me. Nor does this the latest plan for development at Shelbourne. I know Iann Finnegan, and his offices are almost next door, but the first I knew about the Pembroke Estate plan was what I read in the newspaper.
“But I do think the M50 site is a good option. It would be a modern state-of-the-art stadium with fabulous facilities. I don’t buy into this idea that Shelbourne has to be in D4. If you know Dublin at all, ask yourself how many regulars actually live locally? There isn’t even a bus service.
“I am probably among a handful of owners who would find it easier to get to Ringsend than a site next to the airport but I would want what is best for greyhound racing. Certainly, the alternative site would be easier for most of the owners and trainers traveling into Dublin. But as I said, it is nothing to do with me.”
SO – if you were still Chairman of the Irish Greyhound Board, what would you do at this stage?
“I’d negotiate.”
