BARRY T. MURPHY (TRAINER)
RANDOM STABLE INSPECTION 23rd JULY 2014
The Licensing Committee, Peter N. Reynolds (in the chair), Ms Caroline Corballis and Noel McCaffrey met at the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co. Kildare on Wednesday, 17th September to consider the referral of Barry T. Murphy, Restricted Trainer, by Denis Egan, Chief Executive of the Turf Club following a random stable inspection carried out at his Training Establishment on 23rd July 2014 by Turf Club Officials, Michael O'Donoghue and Ms Nicola O'Connor M.R.C.V.S. During the inspection the Officials discovered a number of irregularities.
Evidence was heard from Michael O'Donoghue, Ms Nicola O'Connor M.R.C.V.S and Barry T. Murphy. The Committee also considered a written report on the visit and photographs of their findings. Barry T. Murphy submitted photographic evidence on the improvements carried out since the random inspection and a veterinary report for consideration by the Licensing Committee.
In his evidence Michael O'Donoghue outlined what was discovered during the visit on 23rd July 2014 and in particular concerns that both he and Nicola O'Connor M.R.C.V.S had about the active skin disease of the three horses returned in training, the general untidiness of the premises, the lands and grazing paddocks covered in ragwort, the condition of the ménage, the loose parking of machinery outside stables and administration irregularities that needed to be addressed. He referred to a report from a random stable inspection carried out at these premises on the 13th August 2013 by Nicola O'Connor M.R.C.V.S and himself where they found the overall condition of the premises to be poor and commented that there was no evidence of any improvements since that date despite an assurance that the matter would be addressed. He accepted that the photographic evidence submitted today by Barry T. Murphy showed a very noticeable improvement since the date of the random stable inspection and emphasised that this standard must be maintained as a minimum requirement.
In her evidence Nicola O'Connor M.R.C.V.S outlined her findings in relation to the three horses returned in training which had signs of an active contagious skin disease but otherwise were in good body condition. She commented on the advice given to Barry T. Murphy in relation to treating the condition. She expressed her concern on the overall poor condition of the premises with particular reference to paddocks covered with ragwort being used by any animals on the premises. She referred to recent medicines being administered to animals which had not been recorded in the Turf Club veterinary medicines register.
Evidence was heard from Barry T. Murphy who provided an undated veterinary report from Ned O'Flynn M.R.C.V.S together with photographic evidence on the improvements carried out since the random inspection. He fully accepted the concerns of the inspectors in relation to their findings of the inspection. He said that all of the irregularities identified by the Officials had now been addressed. He produced a report from Ned O'Flynn M.R.C.V.S on a laboratory analysis from a veterinary examination dated 24th July 2014 to show that the three horses in training were in good health. He accepted that the medicines register had not been fully completed. He offered the Officials the opportunity to return to his premises to confirm that all irregularities had now been addressed to the satisfaction of all parties.
Having considered the evidence the Licensing Committee expressed a view that the random inspection report revealed that these premises were not being maintained at a satisfactory standard but today's presentation by Barry T. Murphy had shown noted improvements to all irregularities and therefore adjourned the case and requested that a further random inspection be carried out by Michael O'Donoghue and Nicola O'Connor M.R.C.V.S to ensure that the irregularities identified had been addressed. They found Barry T. Murphy to be in breach of rule 148(iii)(b) and cautioned him for failing to comply with his responsibility in this regard. Furthermore, they instructed him to submit a letter from an attending Veterinary Surgeon to the Turf Club Veterinary Officer for future runners stating that the respective animals were clear of any contagious skin disease. They, therefore, agreed that the matter will be adjourned until the report of the next random inspection has been completed and submitted to the Turf Club.
Barry T. Murphy was represented by Andrew Coonan, Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, Co. Kildare
The case was presented by Conal Boyce, Solicitor, Naas, Co. Kildare.