A Fianna Fail Councillor from Cork has shamefully declared: “my job is to save proper hunting”.
Cork County Councillor Pat Hayes, who is a fox hunter and chairman of the Irish Masters of Foxhounds Association, was quoted in the British magazine, Horse and Hound.
So-called “proper hunting” in Ireland involves releasing a pack of dogs to terrorise a defenceless fox. The fox is chased across the countryside and when caught, the unfortunate creature is attacked, bitten, disembowelled and pulled apart while hunters on foot or horseback blow horns and cheer on the disgusting frenzy.
If a fox tries to find refuge underground, hunters typically release terriers to go down the hole where they corner and attack the fox. The hunters then dig the earth away from above and drag out the squealing and injured fox who is mercilessly killed.
Councillor Pat Hayes gave his views on trail hunting in which hunters follow an artificial scent instead of a live animal. "It's fine,” he said. “But it's not the same. It wouldn't be my thing.”
"I can't get my head around the fact [fox hunting] was banned in England," he went on to say. "It's such an integral part of Britain. It's so important to the countryside, the pub, the feed merchant, the farrier, the huntsman, the horse trade. I feel very sad that it was banned."
Interestingly, the 22 May 2025 Horse & Hound report did not mention the fact that Pat Hayes is a representative of Fianna Fail or that he is a County Councillor.
He was only identified as a master of the Duhallow fox hunt [whose victims have included a fox chased by 37 hounds for over 13 miles] and a former master of Iveagh Foxhounds in Northern Ireland. Please see below for more information.
He is also the owner of Country Lifestyle shop in Mallow which sells pets and "firearms, saddlery and really anything for the fieldsports enthusiast from hunting to fishing and shooting".
Hayes was asked about threats to hunting in Ireland and in particular John Blair MLA’s upcoming bill which aims to secure a ban on hunting with hounds in Northern Ireland.
He responded to say that he and the Irish Masters of Foxhounds Association are “‘working constantly’ on combatting this”.
"There is a threat, but my understanding is that it won't get very far," he told Horse and Hound.
He claimed that there is "huge support for hunting” in Northern Ireland, adding “I don't think [the anti-hunting bill] will go any further."
In reality, opinion polls have shown that the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland support a ban on cruel fox hunting and want legislation introduced to outlaw it.
The latest poll, conducted in 2024 by LucidTalk, found that 76% want fox hunting banned.
John Blair MLA has highlighted that in response to a public consultation on his bill, “80% of respondents living in Northern Ireland believe that ending hunting with dogs is important to them.”
In the Republic of Ireland, there is also majority support for a ban. A RED C poll commissioned by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports confirmed that 7 out of 10 people want the government to bring fox hunting to an end.
ACTION ALERT
Join calls on Fianna Fail to back a ban on cruel fox hunting and all bloodsports. Contact Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin now.
Micheál Martin TD
Leader, Fianna Fail
Email: micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie; info@fiannafail.ie
Tel: 01 619 4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michealmartintd/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@MichealMartinTD
Email Fianna Fail TDs and urge them to support Ruth Coppinger TD's Animal Health & Welfare (Ban On Fox Hunting) Bill when it returns to Dail Eireann.
john.mcguinness@oireachtas.ie; brendan.smith@oireachtas.ie; niamh.smyth@oireachtas.ie; michael.moynihan@oireachtas.ie; aindrias.moynihan@oireachtas.ie; Charlie.McConalogue@oireachtas.ie; jim.ocallaghan@oireachtas.ie; darragh.obrien@oireachtas.ie; jack.chambers@oireachtas.ie; james.lawless@oireachtas.ie; sean.ofearghail@oireachtas.ie; sean.fleming@oireachtas.ie; willie.odea@oireachtas.ie; niall.collins@oireachtas.ie; Robert.Troy@oireachtas.ie; dara.calleary@oireachtas.ie; thomas.byrne@oireachtas.ie; mary.butler@oireachtas.ie; minister@housing.gov.ie; peterchap.cleere@oireachtas.ie; jennifer.murnaneoconnor@oireachtas.ie; cathal.crowe@oireachtas.ie; timmy.dooley@oireachtas.ie; james.oconnor@oireachtas.ie; padraig.osullivan@oireachtas.ie; micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie; seamus.mcgrath@oireachtas.ie; christopher.osullivan@oireachtas.ie; patthecope.gallagher@oireachtas.ie; tom.brabazon@oireachtas.ie; shane.moynihan@oireachtas.ie; paul.mcauliffe@oireachtas.ie; shay.brennan@oireachtas.ie; catherine.ardagh@oireachtas.ie; john.lahart@oireachtas.ie; cormac@cormacdevlin.ie; albert.dolan@oireachtas.ie; john.connolly@oireachtas.ie; michael.cahill@oireachtas.ie; norma.foley@oireachtas.ie; naoise.ocearuil@oireachtas.ie; erin.mcgreehan@oireachtas.ie; aisling.dempsey@oireachtas.ie; tony.mccormack@oireachtas.ie; martin.daly@oireachtas.ie; eamon.scanlon@oireachtas.ie; ryan.omeara@oireachtas.ie; malcolm.byrne@oireachtas.ie
Contact all your local TDs. Visit the Oireachtas website for email addresses and phone numbers for TDs https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/tds/?term=/ie/oireachtas/house/dail/34
Join us in urging Sinn Fein and the DUP to pledge support for John Blair MLA’s bill and help bring hunting with dogs to an end in Northern Ireland.
Mary Lou McDonald TD
Leader, Sinn Fein
Tel: (01) 727 7102
Email: marylou.mcdonald@oireachtas.ie
Twitter: https://x.com/MaryLouMcDonald
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryLouMcDo
Gavin Robinson MP
Leader, DUP
Email: gavin.robinson.mp@parliament.uk; info@mydup.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GRobinsonDUP
Twitter: https://x.com/GRobinsonDUP
DUP Headquarters
Tel: 028 9047 1155
Email Sinn Fein MLAs and ask them to pledge support for the bill
aine.murphy@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;aisling.reilly@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;caral.nichuilin@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;caoimhe.archibald@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;cathal.boylan@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;cathy.mason@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;ciara.ferguson@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;danny.baker@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;declan.kearney@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;deirdre.hargey@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;sinead.ennis@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;gerry.kelly@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;colm.gildernew@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;jemma.dolan@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;john.odowd@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;linda.dillon@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;liz.kimmins@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;maoliosa.mchugh@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;declan.mcaleer@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;philip.mcguigan@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;michelle.oneill@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;nicola.brogan@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;orlaithi.flynn@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;padraig.delargy@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;pat.sheehan@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;emma.sheerin@mla.niassembly.gov.uk
Email DUP MLAs and ask them to pledge support for the bill
david.brooks@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;deborah.erskine@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;joanne.bunting@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;emma.little-pengelly@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;pam.cameron@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;phillip.brett@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;cheryl.brownlee@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;edwin.poots@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;thomas.buchanan@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;harry.harvey@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;william.irwin@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;maurice.bradley@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;keith.buchanan@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;diane.dodds@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;gary.middleton@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;gordon.lyons@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;jonathan.buckley@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;michelle.mcilveen@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;paul.frew@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;paul.givan@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;stephen.dunne@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;trevor.clarke@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;brian.kingston@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;diane.forsythe@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;peter.martin@mla.niassembly.gov.uk;alan.robinson@mla.niassembly.gov.uk
Ban hunting with dogs in Northern Ireland – sign and share the petition
https://www.change.org/p/the-northern-ireland-assembly-ban-hunting-with-dogs-in-northern-ireland
SEE ALSO
‘People shouldn’t be killing foxes for fun’ – John Blair MLA
https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2025/01/25/people-shouldnt-be-killing-foxes-for-fun-john-blair-mla-alliance-party/
It’s beyond time to see fox hunting banned in NI, says Blair
https://www.allianceparty.org/it_s_beyond_time_to_see_fox_hunting_banned_in_ni_says_blair
Bill could be last chance people have to outlaw hunting wild mammals with dogs here, says Blair
https://www.allianceparty.org/bill_could_be_last_chance_people_have_to_outlaw
Watch our campaign video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG9rMlE3VAQ
Please support our campaign with a donation
https://www.paypal.me/banbloodsports
http://revolut.me/icabs
Cllr Pat Hayes (Fianna Fail, Cork County Council) and animal cruelty issues
“Pat Hayes is the new chair of the Irish Masters of Foxhounds Association. Hayes is master of Duhallow Hunt and former master of Iveagh Foxhounds” – Irish Field, 15 November 2024.
“Masters of the Duhallow Hunt attended including…Pat Hayes and his wife Dana” The Corkman, 20 Feb 2020 https://www.pressreader.com/ireland/the-corkman/20200220/281500753272771
“The Duhallow Foxhounds’ Pat Hayes MFH (Master of Foxhounds)…move off from Monymusk after a lawn meet hosted by Mrs Kate Jarvey MFH” – From “HUNTING: Dashing Duhallows”, Irish Field, 01 March 2019
“Joint-masters include Pat Hayes…The first draw was across the main Newmarket road near the old Kanturk railway and hounds found almost immediately…The music was fantastic before they pushed on towards the Island Wood, almost in Newmarket, where he [a fox] was marked to ground…It took just some time to persuade Reynard [fox] to leave Scanahan’s and at one stage, when they were at fault, huntsman had to look to third season Lawyer (by Waterford Ladder), who had been walked by Kate Jarvey, and he soon had the pack back on song…” From “HUNTING: Dashing Duhallows”, a foxhunt report in the Irish Field, 01 March 2019.
“The host Hunt Club was very well represented by three of their four current masters; the fourth was unfortunately unable to attend due to injury. These representatives were Matt Nagle and his wife, Regine; Pat Hayes and his wife, Donna; as well as Peter O’Meara and his wife Hilary.” from “Having a ball at the Duhallow Hunt bash”, The Corkman, February 16 2019.
“With masters Matt Nagle, Peter O’Meara and Pat Hayes at the helm, the trio looked suitably romantic on the night with red carnations…Pat Hayes, Baltydaniel; Peter O’Meara, Mallow, and Matthew Nagle, Buttevant, pictured at the Duhallow Hunt Ball in Springfort Hall Hotel.” from Masterly touches at colourful and fun Duhallow Hunt Ball, The Corkman, 18 Feb 2016 – https://www.pressreader.com/ireland/the-corkman/20160218/281573764756030 See Photo at https://i.prcdn.co/img?regionKey=l3GuNhICke%2fkPV%2bCaj77Qw%3d%3d
“The other Master out was Pat Hayes from Two Pot House who runs a country store in Mallow…At far end of Castlecor our pilot [a fox] was marked to ground and we pressed on and drew towards the water treatment plant. Kilbrin and it’s environs was awash with foxes on the day but sadly scent was in short supply and foxes sensing their impunity played ducks and drakes with hounds. We marked at least a brace [two foxes] to ground, which were left to enjoy a late lunch underground. But our morning enjoyable could only be looked on as an appetizer for what was to follow. Hounds went on to draw Neenan’s conifer plantation. Third season dog Paddler by Duhallow Parson having shown interest in in a particularly briary thicket, shot in one side and like the old penny in the slot machines, a fox shot out the other side. Woodland hunting resulted but not for long as our pilot [the fox] was viewed slipping away by young Adam Burke-Ott aged twelve but with the hunting experience of a veteran…Our huntsman blew his quarry to ground well over an hour after we found!” From “HUNTING: On a wing and a prayer”, a Duhallow Foxhounds hunt report, 2 December 2016.
Cllr Pat Hayes also saw the proposed closure as another attack on rural Ireland. from Youghal track closure ‘a hit on rural Ireland’, Irish Examiner, 17 December 2019.
“The biggest losers here are the trainers, the owners, jockeys, transport, it is part of rural Ireland Kanturk-Mallow Councillor Pat Hayes said he thought it was wrong that point-to-point races are closed down. “It is run 100% safe. To remove coursing as an elite sport was wrong. It is a rural pastime, we are a rural county and I think that this is part of our heritage and it has to be supported.” from Cork county councillors call for coursing and point-to-point races to be allowed to go ahead during lockdown, Evening Echo, 29 January 2021 https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-40216748.html
At a meeting of Cork County Council on 9 January 2023, Cllr Pat Hayes shamefully voted AGAINST a motion calling on members to write to the Minister for Agriculture “to request that a nationwide ban on hare coursing be introduced.”
Photo of Pat Hayes on horseback during a fox hunt
https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/theirishfield/WEBFILES/000/844/939/2283446-844939.jpg