THE MANAGER OF Ireland’s Aga Khan show jumping team, Robert Splaine, escaped unhurt in the early hours of this morning, despite a fridge exploding in his Dublin hotel room.
Splaine and his son were asleep in the Burlington Hotel when they were woken by the explosion at 5am.
“It was a bit of a shock to hear such a loud sound so close but when we switched on the light we could see no signs of what might have caused the explosion,” says Splaine. “The room, however, was soon filled by a very pungent odour and at that point the staff of the hotel came to the door and told us the hotel was being evacuated.
“Fire brigades and ambulances had arrived by this stage and all the hotel guests were assembled outside. The emergency services were very good, I have to say, and looked after the situation marvellously.
“We were then allowed to return to the hotel and given another room, of course. I was told later that the cause of the explosion was a gas canister, that was one of the components at the back of the empty fridge in our room. No-one was hurt and by the time it was all over it was time to get up anyway, so we didn’t get any more sleep. It’s lucky that both my son and I are early risers.”
Ireland’s Aga Khan team will bid to repeat their 2012 victory when they compete on Friday under Splaine at the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show at Ballsbridge.
Good luck to them both and I hope they enjoy and further their career
@Mark Smith: Really? I hope it goes terribly for them, they’re miserable there and then they retire in disgrace.
I’d say you actually mean Dave O’Callaghan there.
French rugby clearly more suited to Hart . Biarritz aren’t the club they used to be though .
@Limón Madrugada: if anything these boys will put them back on the right road, especially DOC
Both absolute gents
Hart was a disastrous signing for Munster, he hardly got a look in.
@Treaty Bhoy: ah, think it was more of a disaster for Hart. It’s not like Munster didnt have viable options.. get analysis as usual though
Really disappointed with Hart. I saw him a lot when he was in France and really thought he’d make the national squad when he moved to Munster. He’s a very French style 9. But he never kicked on, arguably went backwards. I wish them both luck.
@Ger: completely agree, I had hart down for an international squad player when he moved home and then he disappeared at Munster… strange one
@Ger: he didn’t really get a chance to be fair to him.