Irish bookmakers left in 'no man's land' while coronavirus pandemic plays out

Ireland's independent and on-course bookmakers are facing up to an existential threat as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen their businesses grind to a shuddering halt.

They must continue to sit and suffer through a shutdown in Ireland scheduled to extend until May 5 at the earliest.

Barney O'Hare, a man who achieved his fortune through bookmaking and the proprietor of 56 shops around Ireland, is just one well-known figure in the industry who is extremely concerned about the future given racing and sport is almost at a standstill the world over.