PRESS RELEASE - 21st September, 2000

New Equine Educational and Training Centre for Cherry Orchard The Taoiseach Mr Bertie Ahern TD and the Deputy Lord Mayor Marian McGuinness will turn the sod of the new £2.9 million Equine Educational and Training Centre in Cherry Orchard on Friday 22nd September at 10am.

Dublin Corporation provided the 11 acres that the site is being built on and is funding part of the venture along with the Department of Agriculture who contributed £2.35m. The new centre is a positive response to the enforcement of the Control of Horses Act 1996, which, to date has impounded 850 wandering horses in the Dublin Corporation Area.

The centre will provide not only equine facilities, but also provide education and training, suitable to the needs of youth. It is also intended that the centre will incorporate recreational facilities for the community as a whole. The centre has a board of directors comprising of representatives from the Local Community, Ballyfermot Partnership, FÁS, Dublin Corporation, VEC and the ERHA. Ms Niamh O’Keeffe has recently been appointed Manager.