Irish Sports Council Publishes Anti-Doping Report for 2006

Irish Sports Council Publishes Anti-Doping Annual Report for 2006

Mr. John O’Donoghue T.D. Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism
- “The Anti-Doping Programme is essential to the long term credibility of Irish sport. The Programme continues to meet the challenges of doping in sport and maintain its status as a world class programme”

March 22, 2007

In a record year of testing for the Irish Sports Council 1,049 tests were carried out in 37 sports. There were two adverse findings resulting in sanction in 2006, one for a kick boxer (martial arts) and the other for a jockey (horse racing).

In addition there was one outcome pending from 2005, the case of Gareth Turnbull where an elevated level of testosterone was detected. The Disciplinary Panel, through a fair and robust process, found that there was a case to answer, accepted the athlete’s explanation and no anti-doping violation was found.

The Irish Sports Council accepted the Determination in full and acknowledged the comprehensive and expert work of the Panel. The Council will review the Rules, in consultation with Governing Bodies of Sport, regarding costs for athletes who successfully resist an assertion of doping. Subject to the Rules being changed the Council will allow Mr Turnbull his costs reasonably incurred during the case, on the basis of equity and natural justice.

Ossie Kilkenny, Chairman of the Irish Sports Council, commented: “The Council has a duty and a responsibility to complete due process in every instance. We are dealing with issues of profound importance to Irish sport and, while at times they are complex, we are determined to preserve the integrity of the Anti-Doping Programme, and, ultimately, all Irish athletes”.

During the year the Council completed 1,049 tests, an increase of eighty seven tests from 2005. This is the first time that the Council has conducted more than 1,000 tests in a year. The total comprises 892 test under the National Programme and 157 under the User Pays system.  In addition 90 alcohol tests were also completed. 63% of the tests were conducted out-of-competition, above the target of 60%.

Testing was carried out at a number of international competitions which took place in Ireland including the Cerebral Palsy European Soccer Championships and the World Indoor Tug of War Championships.

Five organisations requested tests under the User Pays Programme including the Association of National Anti-Doping Organisations (ANADO), IRFU, Six Nations Committee and the Turf Club. 157 tests were completed under this programme in 2006. 

Dr Brendan Buckley, Chairperson of the Anti-Doping Committee, said: “We are very satisfied with the ongoing development and progress of the Anti-Doping Programme. In 2006 this included the expansion of the education programme, bringing Testing in-house and meeting our international obligations”. 

In 2006 the Council decided to recruit and train its own Sample Collection Personnel. This decision is in line with the 2001 recommendation of the Council of Europe Monitoring Group of the Anti-Doping Convention. IDTM, who had carried out the work since the programme commenced in1999, assisted with the smooth handover of testing through training and collaboration throughout 2006. 

John Treacy, Chief Executive, Irish Sports Council; “Taking the testing procedures in-house was a necessary development. Obviously it is a big logistical task and we would like to thank IDTM for their considerable assistance in the smooth transition and for their excellent contribution over the past seven years”.

For Further Information:

Paul McDermott, Irish Sports Council  01-8608802, 087-6486295
Ian McClure, O’Herlihy Communications  01-6602744, 087-8854072