Leading greyhound figure dies abroad

FORMER CHIEF executive of the Irish Coursing Club Jerry Desmond has died following a swimming accident while on holiday in Portugal.

Mr Desmond (67) died on Friday afternoon while swimming at Santa Eulalia beach near the resort of Albufeira in the Algarve.

He was on holidays with his family and had gone swimming alone when his family noticed he was floating face-down.

Family members brought Mr Desmond ashore where paramedics sought to revive him but their efforts proved unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead.

A native of Clogheen on the outskirts of Cork city, he had lived for over 20 years in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, where he served as chief executive of the coursing club.

A statement on the club’s website over the weekend confirmed Mr Desmond had died and expressed sympathy to his family.

“It is with great sadness that we inform you of the tragic passing of Mr Jerry Desmond in Portugal on Friday, November 5th. Jerry was CEO/secretary of the Irish Coursing Club for over 20 years and only recently retired in October 2008.

“On behalf of the greyhound community, we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Cora, his children Abbie, Roisin, Billy, Ronan, and all his family and friends. Our thoughts are with them at this sorrowful time.”

Mr Desmond was a former manager of Clonmel Racecourse and steward of the Turf Club, and chairman of the Association of Irish Racecourses and keeper of the Irish stud book.

The Department of Foreign Affairs was providing consular assistance to Mr Desmond’s family to bring his body back to Ireland.