Paul Nolan – Fairyhouse – 18th June 2006


The Referrals Committee, Dr. Gordon A. Holmes (in the Chair), Mr. P.J.A. O’Connor and Mrs. T.K. Cooper met in the Standhouse Hotel on 29th August 2006 to investigate evidence given by the trainer, Paul Nolan to the Acting Stewards at Fairyhouse on 18th June in relation to the withdrawal of a number of his horses.  The matter had been referred to the Referrals Committee by Mr. Denis Egan, Keeper of the Matchbook.

Mr. Eugene Gleeson S.C., instructed by Mr. Colm Hickey of Frank Ward & Co., who appeared on behalf of Paul Nolan, admitted that his client had mislead the Acting Stewards at Fairyhouse on 18th June.

Having considered the evidence, the Committee found that Paul Nolan was in breach of Rule 272 and fined him €5,000 and ordered him to pay costs of €1,000.  They further warned him that deliberately misleading the Stewards of the day totally undermined the integrity of racing and was a most serious matter, and had it not been for his excellent record and for the way he met the offence, a disqualification order would have been imposed.

The case was presented by Mr. Brian Price, Wilkinson & Price Solicitors, Naas, Co. Kildare.  Paul Nolan was represented by Mr. Eugene Gleeson, S.C., instructed by Mr. Colm Hickey of Frank Ward & Co. Solicitors, Ormond Quay, Dublin 2.