Updated 10.45am
FOUR MEN HAVE been arrested over the theft of a greyhound in Co Tipperary.
Clares Rocket, which has an estimated stud value of around €1 million, was stolen from the kennels of Irish Derby winning trainer Graham Holland at 1am last Monday.
Speaking to Seán O’Rourke on RTÉ Radio 1 today, Holland described the incident as “a bit of a fairytale – it’s a bit unreal that it’s happened, you think you’re living a bad dream but it’s turned out very well for us”.
The dog is owned by the Full House Syndicate, headed by Joe Cahill.
This morning gardaí confirmed four men were arrested in connection with the incident. Two are being held at Tipperary garda station and two are detained at Clonmel garda station.
A garda spokesperson said Clares Rocket was found “safe and well”.
Holland said that on a good day, Clares Rocket is “probably the fastest dog in Ireland”.
He said that the incident made him think of the infamous Shergar incident, where the prize-winning horse was stolen from Ballymany Stud in 1983.
“I know it’s not the same really but you do think of Shergar and they never recovered him,” said Holland. “Especially when the papers and the media got hold of it, you just fear the worst that whoever stole him would dispose of him and run for the hills. The guards [did] great work and we’re actually delighted.”
Clares Rocket has since arrived home safe and sound, and Holland said he is asleep after being fed a treat following his ordeal.
“Every dog is a special dog but to go through what he’s gone through, it’s just fantastic.”
- Additional reporting by Aoife Barry
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