HRI boss defends Cheltenham racegoers facing backlash for attending festival
Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, insists the backlash being aimed at those returning to Ireland from the Cheltenham Festival is unwarranted given British government guidelines were adhered to.
HRI on Thursday announced that racing would take place behind closed doors in Ireland until Sunday, March 29 in response to the coronavirus pandemic. However, similar measures have yet to be carried out in Britain.
Many publications in Ireland have condemned Cheltenham for going ahead with its festival, while racegoers returning from the Cotswolds have also been scrutinised for attending, despite the fact the Irish government has not placed any guidelines on people travelling from Britain.
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