Acceptable rather than satisfactory outcome because whodunnit remains a mystery

In upholding the IHRB referral committee’s original findings and sanctions for Charles Byrnes, the appeals panel has ensured the regulator maintains some semblance of authority.

It has been at the eye of too many storms lately, and the last thing it needed was no-one being held to account for one of the most scandalous cases to rock Irish racing in many years. As it is, the IHRB can claim a partial triumph in the sense that the original finding against Byrnes for negligence has been vindicated.

Given that the first hearing was chaired by Justice Tony Hunt, and the three-person appeal panel was chaired by Justice Nial Fennelly and also featured Justice Leonie Reynolds, the IHRB has clearly sought to position itself on watertight legal ground.