The Referrals Committee, Judge Tony Hunt (in the Chair), John Moloney and Paul Ronan met at the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co. Kildare on Thursday, 28th August 2014 to consider the referral of Niall Madden, Trainer, by Denis Egan, Chief Executive of the Turf Club following a random stable inspection carried out at his Training Establishment on 9th July 2014 by Turf Club Officials, Michael O’Donoghue and Andrew Tyrrell MRCVS.  During the inspection the officials discovered that there was no secure medicines cabinet on the premises and that Norofulvin, Navilox powder and Pau D’Arco tincture were found in an open unsecured area.

Evidence was heard from Michael O’Donoghue. The Committee also considered a written report on the visit which had been completed by Michael O’Donoghue and Andrew Tyrrell MRCVS.

In his evidence Michael O’Donoghue confirmed that he arrived at the premises at 11.30am to carry out the inspection. He said Mr Madden was more than co-operative and in general it was a most satisfactory inspection with the horses looking very well and excellent stable management. In the course of the inspection he did however uncover some prescription and other substances, which were out of date and were not secured in a medicines cabinet. 

Andrew Coonan representing Niall Madden said that one of the substances found Pau D’Arco was a herbal medicine that had been used on a pony. He said that since the inspection Mr Madden had purchased a secure medicines cabinet. He also confirmed that Mr Madden disposed of the out of date substances on the spot in front of the Turf Club Officials  

Having considered the evidence the Committee found that Niall Madden was in breach of Rule 148(iii)(a) with regard to the safe keeping of veterinary medicines;

The Committee imposed a fine of €130 in respect of the Rule breach.   The case was presented by Conal Boyce, Solicitor, Naas, Co. Kildare. Niall Madden was represented by Andrew Coonan, Coonan Cawley, Solicitors, Naas, Co. Kildare.