BOARD members Mary Lambkin Coyle and David O’Meara both confirmed their resignations from the board of Horse Sport Ireland this week following the outcome of a controversial vote to dismiss CEO Denis Duggan from his post.

The vote was taken last Friday in a stormy meeting when HSI’s own legal team were on hand to advise the board of its possible implications, including financial and legal costs.

Asked to comment this week, UCD Professor Mary Lambkin Coyle, an expert in corporate governance, told The Irish Field: “What goes on in a board is confidential so I cannot comment, other than to say there were people with diverse positions on core issues and I felt strongly as I take corporate governance very seriously and I resigned with immediate effect.”

Mallow-based solicitor David O’Meara also confirmed his resignation to The Irish Field this week, stating he could not site the reason at this time.

Chairman of HSI, Joe Reynolds, said: “Following a recent Board meeting, two directors found it necessary to resign. Professor Mary Lambkin-Coyle is an exceptional Board member, a Professor of marketing at UCD Smurfit and a Director of several high-profile multi-nationals. Mary has a deep interest in the world of horses, rides out every week and is almost unique in that she is not conflicted in any area and with all this brought her considerable intellect to the business of sport horses. Mary acted as Chair of HSI from October 2020 to December 2021. As current Chair, I will miss Mary’s wise council and even-handed approach to the Board’s deliberations.

“It is regrettable David O’Meara found it necessary to withdraw from the Board of HSI. David, a solicitor from Mallow is well known in eventing circles. A previous Director and Chair of Eventing Ireland, David runs a successful one-day event at his home farm in Mallow.

“As a Director, David was as solid a Board member as you could wish for, David always listened intently and usually spoke last delivering a well-balanced and insightful contribution. I can say confidently that both Mary and David were very well regarded by the HSI executive who very much enjoyed working with them over the years and valued their guidance and support. Both Mary and David will be missed by Horse Sport Ireland and not easily replaced.”

The Irish Field contacted CEO Denis Duggan, currently attending the FEI General Assembly in South Africa on behalf of HSI, for a comment. He said: “I cannot comment as I have not been informed of anything. My main concern is for the 50-plus people working at HSI and the state funders.”

How the vote went

Following the resignations, the board of eight is now reduced to six. Voting in favour of dismissing the CEO were Clare Hughes, Lucinda Creighton, Edward Doyle and Paul Duffy. Tom Freyne did not vote and Mary Lambkin Coyle did not vote. David O’Meara and Joe Reynolds voted for the CEO to stay. It’s understood that no reason was given for the dismissal vote to be tabled, it was not a vote of no confidence in the CEO and it is up to the remaining board members to now enact their decision or not.

Speculation that Eamonn Egan had also resigned his position as Chairman of Horse Sport Ireland’s Audit and Risk Committee is unfounded with Egan confirming to The Irish Field on Thursday of this week that he currently still remains in that position.

The resignation of David O’Meara from the board triggers an election for his seat as he is the Sport and Recreation representative for the affiliates.

As we went to press, The Irish Field was awaiting confirmation from Minister Charlie McConalogue’s Department that they have accepted the resignation of Mary Lambkin Coyle, a ministerial appointee.