The Appeals Body (Division Two), Sean Barry (in the Chair), William Flood and T.L. Crawford met at Punchestown Racecourse on Wednesday, 27th April, 2016, to consider the appeal of Mr. H.D. Dunne, rider, against the decision of the Acting Stewards at Laois Point to Point on Sunday, 17th April, 2016, concerning an incident which occurred from the finishing line to the parade ring area. On that day the Stewards found Mr. H.D. Dunne to be in breach of Rule 272 following an alleged altercation with Mr. J.J. Slevin, rider, and as a result they suspended him for five Point to Point race days.
The appeal was lodged on the basis that he was not in breach of any of the Rules of Racing or Regulations for Point to Point Steeplechases.
Evidence was heard from Mr. H.D. Dunne, rider. In his evidence he re-iterated to the Appeals Body that interference had taken place involving his mount and Mr J.J. Slevin’s horse between the final fence and the finishing line and stated that he had engaged in a heated exchange of views with Mr. Slevin on the matter from the finishing line to the parade ring area. He accepted that his actions were inappropriate and apologised to the panel.
Evidence was also heard from Derek Cullen, official, who presented the case on the day to the Acting Stewards, and from Nicholas Lambert who was in attendance at the meeting and who witnessed the exchange between the two parties.
Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body were of the opinion that Mr. Dunne’s actions post-race were inappropriate. They were satisfied that it was spontaneous and was brought about by the interference from the final fence to the finishing line. However the panel adjudged him to be in breach of Rule 272, and as a consequence, imposed a fine of €250 and ordered the forfeiture of his appeal deposit. Taking into consideration Mr. Dunne’s contrite evidence and his previous record they reduced the sanction on the number of Point to Point race days from five to three:-
Saturday 30th April, Sunday 1st May, and Monday 2nd May, 2016.
The case on behalf of the I.N.H.S. Committee was presented by Conal Boyce of Conal Boyce Solicitors, Naas. Andrew Coonan of Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, represented Mr. H.D. Dunne.