Disarray in show jumping continues

The Show Jumping Association of Ireland, which spent much of last year mired in controversy over alleged mishandling of funds, is back under the microscope following the resignation of its three-man finance and management committee.

Tom Meagher, who was elected as chairman of the sub-committee at the end of January, read out a five-page report to a specially convened meeting of the executive on Tuesday of this week and finished by stating that he and fellow committee member Dessie McFadden had been put in an untenable position and were resigning their posts.

Athlone solicitor Michael O'Sullivan, who had also been a committee member, resigned at the end of September following criticism of the finance committee, stressing at the time that his decision was "irrevocable".

The trio had been elected specifically to deal with "the many financial and infrastructural problems" that had resulted in the association recording a £200,000 deficit in its 1997 accounts.

Although the association recently declared a complete turnaround in its accounts, revealing an £80,000 profit for this year, the finance committee members were not convinced that procedures have been adhered to, stating in the report that "serious and continuing irregularities" have been identified.

The report went on to say that it had become clear that "normal business practices relating to the payment out of money and recording and vouching of same are not being observed".

An attempt to tighten up the financial dealings of the association had been made with the appointment of a business director. Navan racecourse manager Richard Lyttle was offered the job in July, but according to the finance committee report, a "concerted campaign was waged" to prevent him taking the job.

Lyttle eventually turned down the £50,000 per annum post, but agreed to act in a consultancy capacity until a replacement could be found.

Director general Tony Kelly, who had himself resigned in August of last year after what he described as a campaign of innuendo and allegations, was put back in sole charge of the association's Ballsbridge office following a meeting of the executive last month.

However, this decision was reversed at this week's meeting, which declared that Kelly would share responsibility and authority for the day-to-day running of the office with Norman Wheeler, who has been brought in on a six-month part-time contract.

Matters came to a head at Thursday night's stormy Leinster region agm, at which there was a request from the floor that Meagher's report be read to the meeting. Outgoing chairman Gerry Thompson read the report and fielded a series of increasingly irate questions.

McFadden agreed that night to set up a meeting with Leinster region members, but both he and Meagher declined to speak on the issue yesterday. O'Sullivan was not available for comment.