The owner of a greyhound who tested positive for Caffeine has been fined just €50.
The prohibited substance was found in a urine sample taken from greyhound Knockbrogan Hill On 17 August 2024 at Curraheen Park track in Cork. On the day, the greyhound finished last in “The Upcoming Events 525” race.
According to the latest April 2025 Greyhound Racing Control Committee report, the greyhound’s then owner/trainer John O’Sullivan of 1 Knockbrogan Park, Bandon, Co. Cork was not in attendance at the hearing https://www.grireland.ie/globalassets/rescource-centre/reports/control/website-publication---april-2025.pdf
The Greyhound Racing Control Committee “noted the evidence given in a statement obtained from Mr. John O’Sullivan where he confirmed that he gave the greyhound Knockbrogan Hill a half a cup of strong tea at approximately 4pm on the day of the race.”
The Greyhound Racing Control Committee, “having considered all the evidence in this matter was satisfied that the case presented by Rásaíocht Con Éireann was proven”.
The Committee “accepted [John O’Sullivan’s] circumstances and took note of the various statements” and “taking all the circumstances into account the Greyhound Racing Control Committee imposed a sanction payment of €50 on Mr. John O’Sullivan”.
Less than three months later, on 2 November 2024, Knockbrogan Hill was sold for €1,100 at a sales auction at Curraheen Park track. Further to a Dail Question from Paul Murphy TD, it emerged that the dog has sadly ended up in Spain.
There are fears for the welfare of greyhounds exported to Spain, given the awful cruelty that occurs there. Greyhounds and other sighthounds used in Spain are typically thrown down wells and hung from trees at the end of hunting seasons.
In a reply to Deputy Murphy, Greyhound Racing Ireland stated that Knockbrogan Hill “was purchased by an individual, resident in Spain, who travelled to Cork to purchase the greyhound”.
Similarly last year, there was a paltry €100 fine for a greyhound owner who blamed “tea and toast” for the presence of a prohibited substance in a greyhound.
Caffeine & Theobromine was detected in a sample taken from greyhound Seeger Sessions on 19th May 2023 at Dundalk stadium. The control committee noted “the evidence given by Colm Farrelly of Slieve Road, Knockagh, Hackballcross, Dundalk, Co. Louth that the only explanation he could offer for the adverse analytical finding was that members of the household gave the greyhound tea and toast prior to the race”.
The Committee “acknowledged the level of co-operation received from Mr Farrelly” and fined him just €100. The prize money of €35 won by the greyhound Seeger Sessions was forfeited.
Knockbrogan Hill and Seeger Sessions are among a growing list of greyhounds testing positive for prohibited substances around Ireland. Find out more at https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2024/02/16/more-and-more-greyhound-testing-positive-for-prohibited-substances/
Read the Adverse Analytical Findings reports at
https://www.grireland.ie/Resource/adverse-analytical-findings/
ACTION ALERT
Don’t go greyhound racing. Please join us in urging the government to STOP the massive grants that are propping up this dog-killing gambling activity. Since 2001, Greyhound Racing Ireland has received €366,986,146 million in funding, including €18.2 million for 2023, €19 million for 2024 and €19.82 million for 2025. This is unacceptable and must be stopped.
Tell the leaders of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Sinn Fein to stop supporting this funding.
Micheál Martin TD
Leader, Fianna Fail
Email: micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie; info@fiannafail.ie
Tel: 01 619 4000
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Simon Harris TD
Leader, Fine Gael
Telephone: 01 281 3727
Email: simon.harris@oireachtas.ie; finegael@finegael.ie
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Mary Lou McDonald TD
Leader, Sinn Fein
Tel: (01) 727 7102
Email: marylou.mcdonald@oireachtas.ie
X: https://twitter.com/MaryLouMcDonald
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Please sign and share the petitions
Stop supporting the cruel greyhound “industry”
https://www.change.org/p/stop-supporting-the-cruel-greyhound-industry
GAA: Stop club fundraisers at greyhound tracks
https://www.change.org/p/gaa-stop-club-fundraisers-at-greyhound-tracks
Tell Gain Pet Nutrition to Stop Sponsoring Greyhound Racing
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Watch RTE’s award-winning “Greyhounds Running For Their Lives” documentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYTb2qBjlMM
SEE ALSO
Fine of just €100 after greyhound tests positive for Caffeine TWICE
https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2025/02/11/fine-of-just-e100-after-greyhound-tests-positive-for-caffeine-twice/
Fine of just €50 for owner of greyhound who tested positive for KETOPROFEN
https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2025/02/05/fine-of-just-e50-for-owner-of-greyhound-who-tested-positive-for-ketoprofen/
Greyhound owner blamed “tea and toast” for the presence of prohibited substances
https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2024/02/16/greyhound-owner-blamed-tea-and-toast-for-the-presence-of-prohibited-substances/
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