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Given the opportunity to substantiate claims made about drugs cheats in Irish racing

Irish trainer and successful breeder Jim Bolger will be given the opportunity to substantiate claims he has made about drug cheats in Irish racing at a parliamentary hearing on July 6. 

Bolger initially voiced comments in October 2020 when he said that the biggest problem facing the industry was the use of performance enhancing substances. He has reaffirmed his stance in a series of Sunday Independent interviews with Paul Kimmage. 

Given the seriousness of Bolger's accusations it was unanimously agreed at government level to invite Bolger – along with senior members of Horse Racing Ireland, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board and the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association – to address the issue. 

Bolger has decided not to comment on whether he would take up the invitation to attend the hearing when contacted on Tuesday. 

However, Horse Racing Ireland's Brian Kavanagh said he would attend if invited. 

Niall Cronin, communications manager at the IHRB, said: "We would welcome the opportunity to meet the deputies and explain details of our equine anti-doping strategies and the advances that have been made in this area recently and over the last few years."