Greyhound dies following injury at Mullingar track as welfare debate continues

A greyhound died following a broken-neck injury at Mullingar Greyhound Stadium during the first seven months of this year, according to figures released by the Department of Agriculture following a parliamentary question.

The figures, obtained by Paul Murphy TD, show that seven greyhounds were recorded as injured at the Mullingar track between January and the end of July 2026, including the animal which died.

The Irish Council Against Blood Sports (ICABS) has criticised the figures and raised wider concerns about greyhound welfare. The organisation said the injuries recorded at Mullingar included a broken neck, a broken or fractured hock and a wrist injury.

ICABS spokesperson Nuala Donlon said the figures demonstrated the ongoing risks associated with greyhound racing and called for Government funding for the industry to be ended.

The organisation also disputes how Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI) presents national injury figures. GRI reported 151 injuries and 89 deaths in racing nationally during the first seven months of 2026, comparing those figures with 48,228 race entries during the period.

ICABS argues that using race entries as the denominator understates the proportion of individual greyhounds affected, saying the industry's annual racing pool is considerably smaller.

However, Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ), the statutory body responsible for regulating greyhound racing, strongly rejects the suggestion that its welfare standards are inadequate.

In a statement, RCÉ said welfare is its “foremost priority” and that every race meeting is attended by a veterinary surgeon. It said greyhounds undergo welfare and identification checks and that injuries are recorded, monitored and reviewed.

RCÉ also rejected what it described as “misleading and emotive language” used by campaigners, particularly references to greyhounds being “killed at the track”.

The organisation said where a greyhound is euthanised on veterinary welfare grounds, the decision is made by a veterinary surgeon based on the animal's welfare.

RCÉ also disputed claims concerning the number of greyhounds killed after leaving racing. It said Chief Executive Tim Lucey did not admit on RTÉ's Prime Time that 6,000 greyhounds are killed annually, stating instead that he put the figure at less than half that amount and highlighted natural deaths, illness and dogs unsuitable for rehoming.

The Mullingar death comes amid an ongoing national debate over the future of greyhound racing, with animal welfare campaigners calling for greater scrutiny while RCÉ maintains that extensive veterinary, welfare and rehoming measures are in place.