Courts / Meath / Report

Dispute over owners nominee to board of Horse Racing Ireland

Date
2019-02-14
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Gormanston
County
Meath

Summary

In February 2019 the High Court heard a dispute brought by James Gough, the long‑time nominee of the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners (AIRO) to the board of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI). Gough, who has represented AIRO on the HRI board since 2015, claims that AIRO's Council has prevented his name from being put forward to the membership and that another person has been nominated instead. He argues that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine must decide the matter and that AIRO should not proceed with the nomination of the other person until a ministerial decision is made. AIRO's lawyers counter that the nomination is valid, follows the organisation's rules, and that Gough has no right to bring proceedings. Gough seeks orders to restrain AIRO from holding a general meeting to elect a nominee and from nominating a member to the HRI board.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Dispute over owners nominee to board of Horse Racing Ireland. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Why: In his action, it is claimed the current situation has come about because of a change in the constitution, where only a member of AIRO's council could be appointed as the association's representative to HRI. CNI source report

Case subjects

Horse Racing Ireland

Applicant

Outcome: However, the matter was adjourned by the judge after solicitors for AIRO in a letter offered certain undertakings to Mr Gough.

James Gough

Applicant

Outcome: However, the matter was adjourned by the judge after solicitors for AIRO in a letter offered certain undertakings to Mr Gough.

Racehorse Owners

Applicant

Outcome: However, the matter was adjourned by the judge after solicitors for AIRO in a letter offered certain undertakings to Mr Gough.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • High Court
Residence

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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