The Appeals Body, (Division One), Mr. Justice Joseph Finnegan, (in the chair), Philip McLernon and John Powell met at the Turf Club, Curragh, Co. Kildare on Monday, 20th November 2017 to consider the appeal of Richard O’Connor against the decision of the Licensing Committee on 12th October 2017 to refuse to grant him a Restricted Trainers licence.

His grounds of appeal were that he disagreed with the decision.

The Appeals Body considered the decision of the Licensing Committee noting that there were three reasons why he was refused a licence, Mr. O’Connor’s written appeal and the Pre-Licensing Routine Inspection Report.

Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body noted that there were three reasons why a license was not granted namely:

(i) Failure to display sufficient knowledge of the Rules of Racing
(ii) Inadequate nature of premises proposed for licensing
(iii) Lack of knowledge of duties and obligations as a licensed trainer

They also noted that any of these failings on their own would justify a refusal of license. Taking these factors into account, the Appeals Body reaffirmed the decision of the Licensing Committee to refuse to issue a licence to Mr. O’Connor. In arriving at their decision, they noted that all of the failings are capable of being remedied and that if and when they are remedied, there is a good possibility of Mr. O’Connor being successful with a future application for a licence.

Richard O’Connor did not attend the hearing.

The case was presented by Paul Murtagh, Head of Raceday Operations.