Calls for former GAA star to clarify his position on greyhound racing

Greyhound advocacy group Greyhound Action Ireland is calling on former Kerry GAA star Paul Galvin to clarify whether or not he supports the Irish greyhound racing industry after he attended Galway greyhound stadium on 15 May as special guest of Greyhound Racing Ireland.

The event was marketed as offering attendees:  “...the chance to explore how hosting a fundraising night at Galway Greyhound Stadium can provide a fun and effective way to raise vital funds, with full support provided at every stage to ensure a seamless and successful event.” It is part of a series of such events organised by Greyhound Racing Ireland in recent months.

These events have been described by Nuala Donlon, Spokesperson for Greyhound Action Ireland as a desperate attempt to try and get members of the public into greyhound stadiums. Figures obtained by TD Paul Murphy in recent months have shown that greyhound stadiums around this country were 70-91% empty of paying members of the public in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

“It is hugely regrettable that a respected sportsperson like Paul Galvin would agree to be part of this cynical PR exercise on the part of Greyhound Racing Ireland,” Ms. Donlon said. “In being part of this event, is Mr. Galvin saying that he approves of an activity which is responsible for the killing of thousands of young dogs every year?” Ms. Donlon asked.

ICABS understands that when he was younger, Paul Galvin trained and walked track greyhounds.

Shocking new figures obtained by Greyhound Action Ireland via Parliamentary Questions show that 63% (5,960) of the racing greyhounds born in 2021 and 2022 who have been retired from the track are already dead! The oldest of these dogs would not yet be five and a half, the youngest not yet three and a half. Greyhounds can live to be 14 years old! These dogs are referred to in the industry as ‘wastage’.

In addition to the thousands of dogs killed every year because they are no longer useful to the industry, hundreds more are killed while racing. In 2024 and 2025, a total of 400 dogs died on the track, while 17 more were killed while trialling.

Greyhound Action Ireland is calling on sporting organisations and sportspeople not to become involved in events organised by Greyhound Racing Ireland. It is also appealing to charities, schools and other organisations not to endorse cruelty to animals by raising funds at a greyhound track.

Find out more on the Greyhound Action Ireland website
https://greyhoundaction.ie/greyhound-traceability-in-ireland/greyhounds-born-2021/
https://greyhoundaction.ie/greyhound-traceability-in-ireland/greyhounds-born-2022/