Dublin's two greyhound tracks have been "empty" since Feb. 23, according to Paul Hosford of the IRISH JOURNAL. In that time, Harold's Cross has been sold for €23M ($26M) to the Ireland Department of Education and members of the Dublin Greyhound Owners & Breeders Association have "picketed Shelbourne Park in protest at the way the sport is being run." DGOBA, along with the Irish Greyhound Owners & Breeders Federation, is "unhappy about the stewardship of the sport, which has seen attendances more than half" since '07. The sale of Harold's Cross came after a '14 government report that recommended it be sold and the money used to address the Irish Greyhound Board's debts from the construction of Limerick Stadium, which currently stand at €20.3M ($22.9M). The IGB will receive a government subvention of around €12.8M ($14.4M) this year and its status as a "semi-state company," along with Horse Racing Ireland, "marks it out in the sporting landscape." The "deterioration in attendances has led to a decline in prize money," which led to breeders "blockading Shelbourne Park, picketing former Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney's office and demanding mass resignations from the board." IGOBF Secretary Dave Cunningham said, "It’s shocking that a Minister has let this go so far. Government has let this go and failed the industry. ... Prize money has been cut by €31 million ($35M) -- it does not pay to win one race these days. People are leaving the sport" (IRISH JOURNAL, 6/4).
