The Referrals Committee, Sean Barry (in the Chair), J.R. Craigie and N.P. Lambert met at the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co. Kildare on Monday 28th September 2015, to consider whether or not Laurence Byrne, Trainer, was in breach of any rules as a result of a random stable inspection carried out at his Training Establishment on 9th July 2015 by Turf Club officials Michael O’Donoghue and Nicola O’Connor, M.V.B.

During the inspection the officials found a number of anomalies including:
i) Observing one of Mr Byrne’s employees, Mark Clifford, riding out without wearing a body protector.
ii) A failure to display the Stable Employee Bonus Scheme (SEBS) payment of €264.06.
iii) A failure to return Gunner McGregor out of training even though the horse had left Mr Byrne’s care.
iv) A failure to keep the Medicines Register up to date.

The matter was referred to the Referrals Committee by Denis Egan, Chief Executive of the Turf Club.

Evidence was heard from Michael O’Donoghue, Nicola O’Connor M.V.B. and Laurence Byrne. The Committee also considered a written report on the visit which was completed by Michael O’Donoghue and Nicola O’Connor M.V.B.

In his evidence Michael O’Donoghue outlined the anomalies which had been discovered during the inspection and referred in particular to the fact that one of Mr Byrne’s employees, Mark Clifford, had refused to wear a body protector when requested to do so.

In her evidence Nicola O’Connor M.V.B. said she had no issues with the veterinary medicines which were kept on site and that veterinary invoices and prescriptions were produced to validate the medicines. However the Medicines Register was not up to date. Ms O’Connor said she showed Mr Byrne’s daughter, Sarah, how to complete the Register on the day of the inspection. She said she had met Ms Byrne on a number of occasions subsequently, who thanked her for her assistance and assured her that the Register was now being kept up to date.

In his evidence Laurence Byrne accepted that Mark Clifford was not wearing a body protector and that he rode out a second time after it was pointed out to him that he should be wearing one. He said he has now addressed this matter with Mr Clifford and he assured the Committee that Mr Clifford would not ride out again without wearing the appropriate safety equipment.

In relation to the non display of the Stable Employee Bonus Scheme (SEBS) payment of €246.06, Mr Byrne accepted that this was the case and said it would be displayed in a appropriate place in his yard in future.

Mr Byrne accepted that he had not returned Gunner McGregor out of training at the time of the inspection but this had now been rectified. He also accepted that he failed to keep the Medicines Register in the appropriate form.

Having considered the matter, the Committee found Laurence Byrne in breach of the following rules:-
i) Rule 148(v)(b) for failing to ensure that a rider riding a horse under his care was using approved safety equipment when riding out at all times.
ii) Rule 298 5 for failing to display the Stable Employee Bonus Scheme payment in a staff working area.
iii) Rule 148(vi) for failing to return Gunner McGregor out of training.
iv) Rule 148(iii)(b) for failing to keep the Medicines Register in the manner prescribed.

Mr Byrne was fined €200 in respect of the breach of Rule 148(v)(b), €130 for the breach of Rule 298 5, €130 for the breach of Rule 148(vi) and €130 for the breach of Rule 148(iii)(b).

The case was presented to the Committee by Conal Boyce, Solicitor, Naas, Co. Kildare.