The Referrals Committee, Sean Barry (in the chair), Philip Caffrey and Robert Dore met in the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co. Kildare on Wednesday, 4th March 2015, to consider whether or not Michael John O’Connor, Qualified Rider, was in breach of any rules as a result of allowing his name to be nominated to ride and presenting himself to ride Shrewdoperator in the King John’s Castle INH Flat Race at Limerick on 28th December 2014, despite the fact that his name was on the alert sheet following a fall at a point-to-point on 14th December 2014.

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

Evidence was heard from Michael John O’Connor and Dr Adrian McGoldrick, Senior Turf Club Medical Officer.

In his evidence Michael John O’Connor admitted that he presented himself to ride at Limerick on the day in question but that he did not knowingly set out to mislead anyone. He said he was told at declaration time that he could present himself for clearance to the medical officer on duty at Limerick. However he now accepted that this was not possible due to the nature of the injury sustained on 14th December 2014.

In his evidence Dr Adrian McGoldrick outlined the unsuccessful efforts he made to contact Mr O’Connor following his injury. He said that Mr O’Connor should have been aware that he needed to undergo a number of tests prior to being allowed back to ride. He said Mr O’Connor was eventually cleared to ride on 29th January 2015.

Having considered the evidence, the Committee found that Michael John O’Connor was not in breach of any rule and they therefore took no further action.

The case was presented by Conal Boyce, solicitor, Naas, Co. Kildare.