Parliaments in Scotland and Wales have recently voted to ban greyhound racing, sparking renewed debate about the sport’s future in Ireland, where the government has stated it does not intend to follow suit.
Industry Response
Tim Lucey, CEO of Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI), told RTÉ Prime Time that the bans in Scotland and Wales would have limited impact on the Irish industry. “There is a very strong industry here and there is no comparison,” he said. The last greyhound track in Scotland closed in March 2025, and Wales currently has only one track remaining.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon confirmed he does not intend to ban greyhound racing in Ireland, following a question from Solidarity-People Before Profit TD Ruth Coppinger.
Mr. Lucey acknowledged the GRI does not take continued government support for granted, stating, “We have very strong support from government, we have a very committed set of sponsors, businesspeople and business partners who work with us. So, it’s not a concern but a pity.”
Animal Welfare Concerns
The bans in the UK have reignited animal welfare concerns surrounding greyhound racing. During the Scottish parliament debate, Green Party MSP Mark Ruskell stated that racing greyhounds at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour results in “catastrophic injuries and deaths.”
Similar concerns have been voiced in Ireland, including by Geraldine Gunning, vice-chair of Limerick Animal Welfare (LAW). Ms. Gunning argues that animals should not be used for “so-called sports,” citing sharp bends on tracks and resulting injuries like broken hocks and legs. She added that dogs unable to race competitively are often euthanized.
Welfare Record and Funding
Greyhound racing remains a divisive issue, balancing animal welfare concerns with the enthusiasm of racing fans. Mr. Lucey stated that welfare checks and veterinary presence are maintained at each of the country’s 17 greyhound stadiums (15 in the South and two in Northern Ireland).
According to the GRI, of 88,000 entries into races last year, 99.63% of racing greyhounds finished uninjured. The injury rate is estimated to be between 0.25% and 0.38% annually.
The Irish government allocated €99.1 million to the Horse and Greyhound Fund in this year’s budget, with approximately 80% (€79.3 million) going to Horse Racing Ireland and €19.82 million to the greyhound sector. Of the GRI’s allocation, €8.1 million is for prize money, €3.79 million for welfare, and €1.8 million for regulation.
Critics argue that greyhound racing relies heavily on taxpayer funding. Mr. Lucey acknowledged that the industry would face challenges without state support, but noted that the GRI generates revenue through restaurants, catering, entertainment, and the Tote.
Overbreeding and Rehoming
A 2019 RTÉ Investigates program, ‘Running for their Lives,’ reported that up to 6,000 greyhounds were being killed annually due to insufficient speed, and that the industry was breeding ten times more puppies than needed, leading to a large cull.
Paul O’Riordan, founder of Great Hounds in Need, a rescue charity, stated that breeders focus on finding a single winner per litter, with the remaining dogs often considered “wasted.” The charity rehomes dogs in several European countries.
Ms. Gunning of LAW stated that while the reported annual culling figure has decreased since 2019, “there’s still a lot of greyhounds being put to sleep.” The GRI claims the figure is now under 6,000, with some deaths attributed to natural causes or unsuitability for rehoming. They also reported rehoming close to 7,000 greyhounds over the past five years.
Animal welfare groups, including Greyhound Action Ireland, dispute these figures, citing difficulties in accurately tracking the whereabouts of all dogs. The GRI states that all greyhounds are microchipped at 12 weeks and tracked throughout their lives, with owners and trainers required to update records every 42 days.
Retired Greyhounds
The GRI provides approximately €400,000 annually to the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust (IRGT), which rehomes former racing dogs. Trustee Brenda Powderly said the organization typically rehomes between 1,000 and 1,200 greyhounds each year, with numbers rising to around 2,000 during the Covid-19 pandemic.
LAW primarily rehomes greyhounds in Italy, where they are popular pets, while they are not traditionally viewed as pets in Ireland. Ms. Gunning emphasized that greyhounds are “very docile” and “very gentle” animals that make suitable companions.
While Minister Heydon has ruled out a ban, the debate continues. Ms. Gunning expressed hope that the sport will eventually be banned, while Ms. Powderly anticipates celebrating the centenary of greyhound racing in Ireland next year, marking the first races at Shelbourne Park in May 1927.
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