Fianna Fail TD calls for Punchestown inquiry

Fianna Fail TD Ned O'Keeffe has called for an inquiry into the funding of Punchestown racecourse's "events centre".

Fianna Fail TD Ned O'Keeffe has called for an inquiry into the funding of Punchestown racecourse's "events centre".

Former Minister O'Keeffe told the Sunday Business Postthat he believes that the Minster for Finance, Mr McCreevy, was "hoodwinked" into parting with €14.8m of taxpayer's money for the project.

He stated that he believed the privately owned centre was on the verge of financial collapse, and that government intervention effectively saved it.

"There were very serious problems. I think Charlie McCreevy was hoodwinked by the horseracing fraternity. The only issue here is the abuse of public money," Mr O'Keeffe is quoted as saying.

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The government have not yet responded to Deputy O'Keeffe's call.

The financial status of Punchestown racecourse made the news last year, when a draft PriceWaterhouse Coopers report, revealed in a High Court case last, stating a net asset value of £1.9m, not £15.9m as reported.