Bye-Election Candidates and Animal Cruelty Issues

Petition updateBan Blood Sports in IrelandBye-Election Candidates and Animal Cruelty Issues

Irish Council Against Blood SportsMullingar, Ireland

May 21, 2026

Tomorrow, Friday 22nd May, voters in Dublin Central and Galway West will go to the polls. Before voting, check out our guide to where candidates stand on animal cruelty issues. Please vote for compassionate candidates and reject those who support animal cruelty.

Help get animal-friendly candidates elected. Vote left, transfer left.

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DUBLIN CENTRAL BYE-ELECTION CANDIDATES AND ANIMAL CRUELTY ISSUES

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14 Candidates (*** = scroll down for more details)

Janice Boylan (Sinn Féin)***

Tony Corrigan (Independent)

Daniel Ennis (Social Democrats)***

Colm Joseph Flood (Independent)

Mannix Flynn (Independent)***

Janet Horner (Green Party)***

Gerard Hutch (Independent)

Ray McAdam (Fine Gael)***

Ruth O’Dea (The Labour Party)***

Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin (People Before Profit)***

John O'Leary (Independent)

Ian Noel Smyth (Aontú)***

Malachy Steenson (Independent)

John Stephens (Fianna Fáil)***

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Janice Boylan (Sinn Fein)

Janice Boylan is currently a Dublin City Councillor

“I vote against [hare coursing] at every Ard Fheis I’ve been a delegate at. I am strongly opposed to it.” from a tweet to ICABS, November 2015.

“My personal stance is yes, I would favour a ban on this animal cruelty [hare coursing and foxhunting].” from a tweet to ICABS, October 2014.

In January 2021, Cllr Janice Boylan was among a group of 13 Dublin City Councillors who voted in favour of an unsuccessful amendment to a motion. The amendment which Cllr Boylan supported stated: “That Dublin City Council recognises the important social, cultural and economic place of greyhound racing in Irish society…” It was defeated when 39 other councillors voted against it. See full text of amendment at https://www.counciltracker.ie/amendments/bb1c3d08

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Daniel Ennis (Social Democrats)

The Social Democrats are in favour of a ban on fox hunting and hare coursing and have voted in favour of proposed legislation aimed at outlawing them. The Social Democrats are opposed to state funding to horse and greyhound racing and have voted against it. The Social Democrats’ animal welfare policy states: “We support a phasing out of the state funding to the greyhound racing industry…We are in favour of harsher penalties for animal cruelty and would improve resources to boost enforcement of animal welfare laws. Increase the number of Animal Welfare Officers to ensure legislation is adhered to…We will continue to support the banning of the use of live hares in hare coursing and prohibition of wild animals in circuses. We will maintain our position against fox hunting and fur farming. We favour the banning of live exports of animals to countries that have poor animal welfare protections, and the raising and enforcement of standards in relation to long journeys and animal transport vessels. We will improve animal welfare standards as they apply to farming practices in Ireland, including pigs, sheep, cattle and chickens. We would ban all experiments on animals that are not related to genuine medical research.” Read the full policy at https://www.socialdemocrats.ie/our-policies/animal-welfare/

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Mannix Flynn (Independent)

Mannix Flynn is currently a Dublin City Councillor

"At Dublin City Council’s environment committee, independent Councillor Mannix Flynn proposed a cull of seagulls, which he says 'literally have the run of the city'." from Councillors Want to Consider a Seagull Cull, Dublin Inquirer, 1 March 2017.

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Janet Horner (Green Party)

Janet Horner is currently a Dublin City Councillor

"I was delighted to be outside Leinster House yesterday supporting Malcolm and his cross-party colleagues bill to fund wildlife rescuers like Wildlife Rescue Cork and Kildare Wildlife Rescue, I was even happier to see it pass in the Seanad! Wildlife rescues do valuable work protecting our wildlife from pollution and habitat loss, and most of it is done voluntarily and with a heavy reliance on donations. Their work deserves proper funding to make sure we don’t lose it" - Facebook post, 30 April 2026 https://www.facebook.com/reel/1517506196552934

"It was great to visit Dogs Trust with Roderic this week to see the fantastic work they’re doing from animal welfare and ways to help out with the cost of living, to policy work including working to make sure people don’t have to be separated from their pets, family members, when moving to a new home. The dogs they have in there were all amazing, it was a real treat to meet with them." - Facebook post, 12 April 2026 https://fb.watch/GUS2LQUHyz/

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Ray McAdam (Fine Gael)

Ray McAdam was Paschal Donohoe’s constituency and parliamentary assistant and is currently a Dublin City Councillor.

Fine Gael is not in favour of a ban on cruel bloodsports. The party has voted against proposed bans on fox hunting, hare coursing, digging out, terrierwork, ferreting and badger culling. Fine Gael supports massive state grants to horse and greyhound racing – more than €1.9 Billion since 2001, including €99.1 million for 2026.

Fine Gael voted against a ban on fox hunting in December 2025.

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Ruth O'Dea (The Labour Party)

The Labour Party voted in favour of a proposed ban on fox hunting in December 2025. Party leader Ivana Bacik has stated: “I have a strong track record on animal rights issues and I am a long-standing opponent of hare coursing”. In relation to government funding for horse and greyhound racing, some Labour Party TDs have voted in favour of the funding but, in more recent years, most have voted against it.

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Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin (People Before Profit)

People Before Profit’s animal welfare policies include: Ban all blood ‘sports’ including hare coursing and fox hunting, End the Badger Cull, Increase financial support for animal welfare charities, Withdraw Public Funding for Greyhound Racing and Horse Racing, Ban the import of any animal-based product that resulted in animal suffering e.g. fur (farmed or wild trapped) clothing which is made from or contains hair, fur or feathers taken from live animals (e.g. Canada Goose clothing) foie gras etc., https://www.pbp.ie/policies/animal-welfare-policy/

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Ian Noel Smyth (Aontú)

Aontú has voted against proposed bans on hare coursing and fox hunting. The party supports massive state grants to horse racing and greyhound racing.

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John Stephens (Fianna Fáil)

John Stephens is currently a Dublin City Councillor

Fianna Fail is not in favour of a ban on cruel bloodsports. The party has voted against proposed bans on fox hunting, hare coursing, digging out, terrierwork, ferreting and badger culling. Fianna Fail supports massive state grants to horse and greyhound racing – more than €1.9 Billion since 2001, including €99.1 million for 2026.

Fianna Fail voted against a ban on fox hunting in December 2025.

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GALWAY WEST BYE-ELECTION CANDIDATES AND ANIMAL CRUELTY ISSUES

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17 Candidates (*** = scroll down for more details)

Néill Bairéad (Independent)

AJ Cahill (The Irish People)

Mike Cubbard (Independent)***

Patrick Feeney (Independent)

Sheila Garrity (Independent)***

Cillian Keane (Fianna Fáil)***

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)***

Mark Lohan (Sinn Féin)***

Niall Murphy (Green Party)***

Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich (Social Democrats)***

Orla Nugent (Aontú)***

Helen Ogbu (The Labour Party)***

John O’Leary (Independent)

Denman Rooke (People Before Profit)***

Michael Ryan (Independent)

Noel Thomas (Independent Ireland)***

Thomas Welby (Independent)

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Mike Cubbard (Independent)

Currently a Galway City Councillor

“I voted to ban animal act circuses from Galway. I am 100% against animal cruelty in all forms it unfortunately takes.” from a tweet to ICABS, October 2014.

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Sheila Garrity (Independent)

Sheila Garrity is Catherine Connolly’s former campaigns manager. She worked on Catherine’s local, general and presidential election campaigns over the last two decades.

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Cillian Keane (Fianna Fáil)

Currently a Galway County Councillor

Fianna Fail voted against a ban on fox hunting in December 2025.

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Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)

Former TD and now a Senator

Fine Gael voted against a ban on fox hunting in December 2025.

“Senator Brady raised the matter of fox hunting and quite rightly stated it is not a sport. We are a long gone from ‘The Irish RM’, which was [set during the time of the gentry]. We are long gone from that. Fox hunting is necessary to control foxes. Foxes, on many farms, take hens, they take lambs and I think they have even taken kittens. They are a problem. Senator Brady will join with me in not wanting to see the cruelty that sometimes is portrayed in relation to maybe illegal activities. No one would condone that. But fox hunting is a necessary part of the control of foxes, that can cause damage and a loss of earnings to farmers.” Senator Seán Kyne, Seanad Eireann, 22 October 2025 https://youtu.be/NNcMhR0LGrY

In 2012, Deputy Kyne asked the Agriculture Minister “if the upcoming Animal Welfare Bill will contain a provision to abolish live hare coursing in view of the demonstrable evidence of the harm, injury and distress that such a sport causes to the wildlife concerned”. In 2013, he asked the Minister for Agriculture if he would “consider encouraging the take-up of drag coursing as an alternative to live hare coursing”. In 2016, he voted AGAINST a proposed ban on hare coursing.

He has voted in favour of €603 million in government grants to horse and greyhound racing, via the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations.

“I support horse and greyhound racing”: Senator Sean Kyne speaking in the Seanad on 8 December 2021 before voting in favour of the Horse & Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6-inUYLpgs

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Mark Lohan (Sinn Féin)

Sinn Fein supports a ban on fox hunting. The party passed a motion at its 2026 Ard Fheis and will “support a ban on the practice of fox hunting with dogs for the sole purpose of leisure”.

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Niall Murphy (Green Party)

“The Greens are supporting a fox hunting ban when it is voted on in the Dail this evening. I debated it with Michael Fizmaurice TD on Galway Bay FM this morning at https://www.galwaybayfm.ie/…/bill-to-ban-fox-hunting

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=917521690835772&set=a.152372024017413″

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Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich (Social Democrats)

“Hurting animals is not entertainment. Instead of spending millions subsidising the cruel greyhound racing industry, we need to phase it out and ensure government funding goes to guaranteeing these animals good lives, free from cruelty. Bloodsports are cruel and archaic. They need to be left in the past where they belong. I am vehemently against fox-hunting, hare coursing, and all bloodsports. Myself and my Social Democrats colleagues will continue to fight for an Ireland free from animal cruelty however we can.” – Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich in a message to ICABS, May 2026.

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Orla Nugent (Aontú)

Aontú has voted against proposed bans on hare coursing and fox hunting. The party supports massive state grants to horse racing and greyhound racing.

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Helen Ogbu (The Labour Party)

Currently a Galway City Councillor

“As your Councillor representing Galway City East, here’s a quick look at the highlights from the past week…handled an animal welfare concern, ensuring the safety and well-being of our furry friends.” Helen Ogbu in a Facebook post, 20 July 2024 https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=385535234544921&set=a.122342547530859

“I’m passionate about making our community greener and more sustainable. Here’s my plan to enhance our environmental initiatives…Biodiversity Through No-Mow Zones: Supporting wildlife and creating natural beauty by allowing certain areas to flourish naturally…Nature Restoration Plans: Reviving and preserving our local environment for future generations. Together, we can cultivate a greener, more sustainable future for Galway City East” Helen Ogbu in a Facebook post, 2 June 2024 https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02NzF2DMYZoidQ4UdryLjjCbLsPgaBZet4zWVy43rj7JAvSfa2Lzcmq7BUtfS7haxzl&id=100092653429288

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Denman Rooke (People Before Profit – Solidarity)

“I support a full ban on all blood sports including a ban on fox hunting and hare coursing. I’d also end all government funding of greyhound and horse racing. With the multiple crises we face in Ireland in housing and cost of living, it’s atrocious that they waste millions in public funding every year for these” – Denman Rooke, May 2026.

Solidarity-People Before Profit are in favour of a ban on fox hunting and hare coursing. Solidarity-People Before Profit TDs have voted in favour of proposed bans on the bloodsports. They are opposed to state funding of horse and greyhound racing and have voted against it.

Solidarity-People Before Profit’s Ruth Coppinger TD (Dublin West), Paul Murphy (Dublin South West) and then TD Mick Barry (Cork North Central) were instrumental in achieving a ban on fur farming in Ireland and the party was also behind the Bill that led to a ban on wild animals in circuses.

People Before Profit’s animal welfare policies include: Ban all blood ‘sports’ including hare coursing and fox hunting, end the badger cull, increase financial support for animal welfare charities, withdraw public funding for greyhound racing and horse racing, Ban the import of any animal-based product that resulted in animal suffering e.g. fur (farmed or wild trapped), clothing which is made from or contains hair, fur or feathers taken from live animals (e.g. Canada Goose clothing), foie gras, etc https://www.pbp.ie/policies/animal-welfare-policy/

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Noel Thomas (Independent Ireland)

Currently a Galway County Councillor.

In December 2025, Independent Ireland TDs voted against the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban On Fox Hunting) Bill 2025 which aimed to outlaw cruel fox hunting – a bloodsport most people in Ireland want ended https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2025/12/18/ban-fox-hunting-bill-shamefully-voted-down-in-dail-eireann-how-did-your-tds-vote/

“Independent Ireland is firmly dedicated to safeguarding the rights and traditions of rural communities, including game hunting, shooting and other rural pursuits that form a vital part of our national heritage…If elected, Independent Ireland will defend rural pursuits – we will ensure that the traditions of game hunting, shooting and other rural activities are safeguarded and celebrated as fundamental elements of Irish culture and rural life…We are committed to ensuring rural Ireland has a strong voice in Dail Eireann, providing game hunters and rural communities with the representation they deserve. Together, we can protect these traditions for future generations…” From a statement issued by Independent Ireland to a gun club affiliated to shooting group National Association of Regional Game Councils.

Independent Ireland Leader Michael Collins TD (Cork South West) has in the past voted against a proposed ban on cruel hare coursing. In 2019, he made calls in the Dáil for a seal cull. Mr Collins said: “The livelihoods of inshore fishermen in Castletownbere and throughout west Cork have been destroyed by the large number of seals at sea.”

“The issue [of a seal cull] was raised in the Dáil two weeks ago by Independent TD Michael Collins, who said fishermen were contacting him about their pressing seal problem and the desire for a cull to take place. ‘A couple of weeks ago I received a call from inshore fishermen of Castletownbere pleading for a cull of seals as the large number of them is causing chaos for inshore fishermen. Will a cull happen? I’m afraid not,’ he said, lamenting the lack of action to take on the seals.” From ‘We’ll cull seals in West Cork as they’re a threat to our fish and children’ say fishermen, Extra.ie, 4th February 2019.

Independent Ireland Leader Michael Collins TD has sharply criticised the failure of Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and regional independent TDs to oppose the anti-fox hunting bill at first stage in the Dáil this week. Despite the bill being brought forward by elements of the extreme left, several TDs who have long courted rural votes and hunting clubs chose not to kill the bill, allowing it to progress through the legislative process—something Independent Ireland says is a betrayal of rural communities and traditions. “This could have been put to bed for the many thousands of people involved in hunting the length and breadth of rural Ireland,” said Michael Collins TD. “Instead, TDs who have always claimed to stand by their local gun clubs, farmers, and hunting enthusiasts chose to vote in favour of legislation championed by politicians who have no understanding or regard for rural life. It’s a shocking example of speaking out of both sides of their mouths.” “You can’t claim to support rural traditions during a local dinner dance or a hunt fundraiser on a Saturday night in Galway, then head up to Dublin and vote alongside those who want to outlaw them,” added Michael Fitzmaurice TD. “The hypocrisy is staggering. It’s time for honesty and courage in representing rural Ireland” Independent Ireland believes the bill poses a direct threat to rural heritage and the social fabric of many communities who rely on and participate in regulated hunting practices. “Rural Ireland has felt under attack for the last number of years” said Collins. “It’s clear some TDs are more interested in keeping in with Dublin party politics than defending the people who elected them. Once again we see Independent TDs who were elected to support rural Ireland and it’s traditions, do a complete U turn and sell out rural Ireland” “The West of Ireland sent a message in the last election: stand up for us or stand aside,” Fitzmaurice warned. “Too many TDs ignored that this week. We won’t.” Independent Ireland has pledged to fight any further progression of the bill and will continue to stand unapologetically in defence of rural traditions, livelihoods, and communities. from a statement on the Independent Ireland Facebook page, 2 June 2025 https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=122239398956028834&set=a.122135116010028834

Independent Ireland supports massive government grants to horse and greyhound racing – more than €1.9 Billion since 2001, including €99.1 million for 2026.

Noel Thomas is a former Fianna Fáil councillor.

Find out about the views of current TDs, Senators, Councillors, MEPs at

https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2020/01/08/politicians-and-animal-cruelty-issues/

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