Irish jockey Luke McGuinness has been handed a four year ban from horse racing after testing positive for cocaine for a third time.
McGuinness tested positive in Limerick in December and had only returned to racing after being caught taking the drug in January of last year and has been handed the ban from a referrals committee of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.
The Irish jockey had previously been handed a hefty six year ban after his second offence but was able to return to the track sooner after meeting strict terms but will not be able to apply for his licence until the beginning of 2026.
Liam Quinlan and Paul Lake have also been handed bans after testing positive for the drug.
McGuinness was tested on December 27 of last year and his case was heard on April 11.
Chairman of the referrals committeeTony Hunt said: "This is unfortunately a third offence and, in relation to the balance of four years which is outstanding, we feel we have no option but to activate the outstanding period beginning from January 21 which is when Mr McGuinness was notified of this finding.
"Having activated the previous sanction, we now have to address the new breach and are imposing a consecutive penalty so on the expiry of this current four years there will be a further suspension of four years."
Paul Lake has been handed a four year ban with the last three years suspended once he engages positively with IHRB Chief Medical Officer Dr Jeniffer Pugh and counsellor Pat Brennan.
Liam Quinlan was handed a four year ban and a further year for failing to submit a doping control test in November 2019 and but four of the five years will be suspended will the panel set to review the suspension after nine months.
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