Following the High Court decision of Ms Justice Hyland today, the ICC has announced that the balance of the 2020/21 coursing season is concluded. The Judge, in her decision, referred to the strong arguable case in terms of lack of consultation and that the ICC has met the requisite standard in terms of obligations to give reasons as part of a Judicial Review hearing yet to be heard.
The Executive Committee of the ICC acknowledge the support and hard work of its constituent clubs, its greyhound owners, breeders, trainers and sponsors during this season. The Executive is cognisant of the lack of opportunity afforded coursing greyhounds, in what has been a very truncated season within a limited season. As a consequence of such lost opportunity, the Executive decided that it will hold a Derby and Oaks next season for 2019 whelps that have won a trial stake this season with additional qualifiers to reach the required number of entries to stage the event at the National Meeting in 2022.
The Licensing Committee is appointed by the Executive Committee to deal with all licensing issues for the forthcoming season and it has commenced that process.
While we all deal with the current situation, I can assure everyone that every effort is being made in preparing for a successful commencement of the 2021/22 coursing season and this is the focus of the Executive and its Sub-Committees over the coming weeks and months ahead.
DJ Histon