A fox hunting report in the Irish Field highlighted that two vets were among those shamefully participating in a recent hunt during which a fox was terrorised by a pack of dogs.
The 27 February 2026 report about the Kilkenny Foxhounds outlined that the pack of hounds “found [a fox] and hunted on to Sugarstown, before crossing the Dublin road”.
"The equine veterinary profession were well represented by former secretary of the Equine Veterinary Association Catherine Dwan, and by Fethard Equine’s David Halley,” the report stated. “The apple falls near the tree, and David has obviously inherited the hunting and veterinary genes from his dad, John, who was [master] of the Limerick Foxhounds for many seasons.”
“The Halleys operate Ireland’s leading equine veterinary hospital from their farm outside Fethard,” the report added.
Kilkenny Foxhounds hunt has its kennels at Mount Juliet Estate in Thomastown, County Kilkenny and during the hunting season, it terrorises foxes on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
TAKE ACTION
Urge the Veterinary Council of Ireland to act to stop veterinary involvement in fox hunting.
Niamh Muldoon
CEO, Veterinary Council of Ireland
53 Lansdowne Road
Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Telephone: +353 (0) 1 668 4402
Email: niamh.muldoon@vci.ie
Help get fox hunting banned in Ireland
Contact all your local TDs and urge them to support Deputy Coppinger’s Animal Health & Welfare (Ban On Fox Hunting) Bill when it returns to Dail Eireann. 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
Contact the leaders of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Sinn Fein. Tell them that you want fox hunting, hare coursing and all bloodsports banned.
Micheál Martin TD
Leader, Fianna Fail
Email: micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie; info@fiannafail.ie
Telephone: 01 619 4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michealmartintd/
X: http://www.twitter.com/@MichealMartinTD
Simon Harris TD
Leader, Fine Gael
Telephone: 01 281 3727
Email: simon.harris@oireachtas.ie; finegael@finegael.ie
X: http://www.twitter.com/SimonHarrisTD
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DeputySimonHarris
Mary Lou McDonald TD
Leader, Sinn Fein
Telephone: (01) 727 7102
Email: marylou.mcdonald@oireachtas.ie
X: https://twitter.com/MaryLouMcDonald
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MaryLouMcDonaldTD
Keep hunters off your land
If you are a landowner, make your land off-limits to hunters. Find out more about how to do this on our Farmers/Landowners page – http://www.banbloodsports.com/farmers.htm
Watch our campaign video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG9rMlE3VAQ
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SEE ALSO
Limerick vet is joint-master of foxhunt
https://www.change.org/p/ban-blood-sports-in-ireland/u/24219701
“Following the family tradition were [Fethard Equine Hospital vet] David Halley (MRCVS) and brother Jack Halley, who runs the iconic Hayes’ Hotel in Liberty Square, Thurles...both out [hunting] and well mounted, they showed the way on the family farm.”
https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2025/08/27/foxes-terrorised-by-pack-of-33-dogs-at-tipperary-hunt/
EXPOSED: Veterinary involvement in fox hunting
https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2025/09/22/exposed-veterinary-involvement-in-fox-hunting/
Nenagh vet at Ormond Foxhounds hunt
https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2025/04/01/nenagh-vet-at-ormond-foxhounds-hunt/
Dept of Agriculture vet at County Laois fox hunt
https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2025/02/10/dept-of-agriculture-vet-at-county-laois-fox-hunt/