The president of the Equestrian Federation of Ireland, Ms Avril Doyle, said yesterday that the controversy arising from positive drugs tests for two horses used by Olympic gold medallist Cian O'Connor was "devastating" for the sport.
However, Ms Doyle, who is also a Fine Gael MEP, said the medal-winner was innocent until proven guilty and should be given due process before any firm conclusions were drawn from the drugs tests.
The Equestrian Federation of Ireland is the regulator of the sport and is responsible for taking prosecutions in relation to any offences.
"We never condone the use of prohibited substances of any kind and we would take a strong view of anyone who would abuse the system. But, in this case, due process has not been completed and to be fair to him he doesn't deserve trial by media," Ms Doyle told RTÉ's News at One programme.
Ms Doyle said although the federation was aware of the drug administered, she had to refrain from commenting in detail on the controversy until it was resolved.
"As the regulator of the sport and prosecutor in relation to any offences, we cannot go public until the end of due process ... We are at the sample A stage, and we have sample B stage to go, and it's possible the case will end up in the Court of Arbitration. We are some weeks off due process being completed. At that stage I can be very clear in my views."
She added: "It was an unauthorised substance, other than that I'm not in a position to say. The FEI [the international equestrian governing body] have said they do not want the name of the substance in the public arena. He cannot have trial by media, it's not just; he must be allowed to make every effort to prove his case."
A second positive test would result in automatic disqualification and the loss of Ireland's only medal from the Athens Games. That procedure is expected to take up to three weeks, after which Mr O'Connor will be given 10 days to prepare a case to present to the judicial committee of the FEI.
Although Ms Doyle said the gold medal victory had the potential to open up equestrian sports to wider appeal and greater funding, she conceded this could be jeopardised if a second test from the Olympic-winning horse was negative.
"Jeopardised is a fair word. There is only so much I can say as president of the prosecuting body, but it's not hard to see how much is put at risk," she said.
"We were all so proud; the whole thing is devastating, not least for Cian. He is a young man whose reputation and future is at stake here. The federation as regulator for the sport is devastated, but we will allow him time and due process", Ms Doyle said.
