The government has RECKLESSLY disregarded appeals to stop hare coursing, despite soaring COVID-19 infections.
The first day of a 2-day coursing meeting in Liscannor, County Clare was disgracefully allowed to proceed today, with Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Tanaiste Leo Varadkar ignoring calls for the cruelty event to be stopped.
Details on the Irish Coursing Club website show that 72 greyhounds (including reserves) were listed for today’s meet. With up to two people attending with each greyhound, there could be 144 people in attendance, not including organisers.
The gathering of coursers was allowed to proceed despite the fact that County Clare has the third highest 14-day incidence rate of Covid-19 in Ireland.
Tomorrow (Sunday 11th October), 28 greyhounds and as many as 56 or more people will congregate at the Liscannor coursing field to watch hares running for their lives.
In an appeal to Minister Donnelly and the government, ICABS pointed out that the large number of coursers coming together for their weekend of barbarism is contrary to Level 3 of Ireland’s nationwide Plan for Living with COVID-19 which makes it clear that organised outdoor gatherings can only have “up to a maximum of 15 people”.
“In the interests of public safety and doing everything possible to slow the spread of COVID-19, it is imperative that you act to prevent this and subsequent coursing meets from going ahead,” we stated.
Despite growing worries about coronavirus - with a further three deaths and an additional 1,012 cases confirmed today - the coursers are shamefully determined not to let the pandemic get in their way. A published coursing fixtures list includes 65 1-, 2- and 3-day meetings around the country between now and the end of February.
The government MUST NOT allow another season of coursing. It is reckless and unforgivable to give a free pass to coursers and it is making a mockery of public health guidelines.
Find out more about Coronavirus (COVID-19) and how you can protect yourself and your family https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/
ACTION ALERT
Contact Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and the Irish Government today and demand that hare coursing is stopped. If coursing is taking place in your area, contact the local Gardai and ask them to take action to stop the meeting - find contact details at https://www.garda.ie/en/Contact-Us/Station-Directory/
Health Minister, Stephen Donnelly
Tel: (01) 201 7300 or (01) 618 3041
Email: ministersoffice@health.gov.ie
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DonnellyforWicklow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DonnellyStephen
Micheál Martin, Taoiseach
Email: micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie; info@fiannafail.ie
Phone: +353 (0)1–618 4350 or +353 (0)21-432 0088
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michealmartintd/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@MichealMartinTD
Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste
Telephone: +353 (0)1-704 3630 OR +353 (0)1-640 3133
Email: leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie; finegael@finegael.ie
Tweet to: @LeoVaradkar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeoVaradkar
Contact Minister Darragh O’Brien and demand a withdrawal of the 2020-21 coursing licence.
Minister Darragh O’Brien (Fianna Fail, Dublin Fingal)
Tel: (01) 618 3802 OR (086) 251 9893
Email: darragh.obrien@oireachtas.ie; minister@housing.gov.ie
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DarraghOBrienTD
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DarraghOBrienTD
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