THE SUFFERING OF HARES DURING 2025-26 COURSING SEASON

Petition updateBan Blood Sports in IrelandTHE SUFFERING OF HARES DURING 2025-26 COURSING SEASON

Irish Council Against Blood SportsMullingar, Ireland

Jun 17, 2026

More hares suffered injuries and were killed during the latest hare coursing season. Reports published on the NPWS website reveal just some of the victims. Please join calls on the Irish Government to ban this cruel bloodsport - scroll down for our action alert.

Abbeydorney (17, 18, 19 October 2025)
Four hares were hit and 1 was pinned to the ground.

Abbeyfeale (28, 29 December 2025)
7 hares hit by dogs and 3 pinned to the ground. One of the pinned hares wasn’t examined for injuries until the following day.

Ardpatrick/Kilfinane (15, 16 November 2025)
3 hares were hit by dogs. A few days beforehand, "individuals entered the hare park with the attempt to steal hares"

Balbriggan (22, 23 November 2025)
At least 1 hare was hit and pinned to the ground

Ballyduff (14, 15, 16 November 2025)
1 hare was pinned to the ground and examined for injuries.

Ballyheigue (10, 11, 12 October 2025)
4 hares were caught and pinned to the ground by dogs

Borrisoleigh (26, 27 December 2025)
3 hares suffered hits, 3 were pinned to the ground and 1 hare was “found dead”

Cappoquin (14, 15, 16 November 2025)
6 hares were hit by dogs and 2 were pinned to the ground. One hare died from injuries

Cashel (10, 11, 12 October 2025)
A hare suffered bruising after being caught and pinned to the ground by a dog

Castleisland / Millstreet (25, 26, 27 October 2025)
2 hares hit by dogs. Another hare was pinned with such force that an ear tag came off.

Cavan / Dungannon / Westport (14, 15, 16 November 2025)
5 hares were hit and 1 was mauled into the ground.
A hare who was mauled was found to have a graze on the back

Charleville and Mallow (24, 25, 26 October 2025)
3 hares were caught by dogs and pinned to the ground

Clonakilty (9, 10, 11 January 2026)
3 hare suffered hits and 1 was examined for injuries

Clonmel, Kilsheelan and Mitchelstown (8, 9 November 2025)
1 hare was mauled by dogs, suffered an injury and was euthanised by a vet

Clonmel National Meeting (31 January and 1, 2 February 2026)
6 hares suffered hits and another was caught and pinned to the ground by dogs.

County Carlow (8, 9 November 2025)
4 hares were hit by dogs and 2 were pinned to the ground. 1 hare was confirmed injured and “given injection for shock”.

County Kerry (26, 27 December 2025)
1 hare was hit and 3 hares were pinned to the ground by dogs

County Limerick/Irish Cup (27, 28 February and 1 March 2026)
7 hares were hit and 3 were pinned to the ground by dogs at the “Irish Cup” coursing meet at Limerick Racecourse

Cork / Blarney (26, 27 December 2025)
1 hare was pinned to the ground by dogs and suffered injuries. A vet, who had shamefully certified 44 hares “fit to course”, euthanised the injured hare.

Doon (29, 30 November 2025)
8 hares hit, 3 or 4 hares were pinned, 6 examined for injuries
4 hares were given Metacam (a type of painkiller)

Dundalk (26, 27 December 2025)
4 hares were caught by dogs and pinned to the ground.

Dungarvan (19, 20, 21 December 2025)
6 hares were hit by dogs and 3 hares were pinned to the ground. These 3 hares were “treated with painkiller” by a vet

East Donegal at Lifford (30, 31 December 2025 and 1 January 2026)
A total of 4 hares were killed:
On Day 1, 3 hares were pinned - 1 of these hares was euthanised by a vet and the other 2 "died from injuries". On Day 2, a hare was hit and died from injuries

Ennis / Clarecastle (4, 5 October 2025)
5 hares were hit and 3 were pinned to the ground.

Enniscorthy (22, 23 November 2025)
7 hares were hit by dogs and 1 hare was pinned to the ground and examined for injuries.

Freshford (30, 31 October 2025)
3 hares were hit by dogs and 2 were pinned to the ground and examined for injuries.

Galbally (31 December 2025, 1 January 2026)
2 hares hit and 1 hare was pinned. A ranger reported that on Day 1, a hare was pinned - a dog "slipped its muzzle and grabbed the hare". A vet noted "a small bit of hair was missing".

Glanworth / Fermoy / Grange (12, 13, 14 December 2025)
2 hares were caught by dogs, pinned to the ground and examined for injuries.

Glin, Galway & Oranmore (3, 4, 5 October 2025)
4 hares were hit and 5 were pinned to the ground.

Gorey (23, 24 October 2025)
4 hares died:
5 hares hit, 2 pinned, 2 hares died from injuries, 1 died from so-called "natural causes". Another hare was "found dead in Hare Park the morning after day of coursing". A NPWS ranger reported that one of the hares in captivity had "a lesion, approximately 3cm in diameter, on his back. The hair was gone in the area and there was a surface level graze but the skin was intact. The animal also had a cloudy left eye...this animal was treated with topical antibiotics before release."

Johnstown / Urlingford (5, 6, 7 December 2025)
2 hares were hit by dogs and 1 was pinned to the ground

Kilflynn (26, 27, 28 September 2025)
2 hares suffered hits and 1 was examined for injuries

Killimer / Kilrush (22, 23 November 2025)
At least 1 hare was caught by the dogs and pinned to the ground.

Knockgraffon (21, 22, 23 November 2025)
At least 2 hares were caught by the dogs and pinned to the ground.

Liscannor (27, 28 September 2025)
3 hares hit and 2 pinned to the ground by dogs. 1 hare “died from injuries”.

Listowel (31 October, 1, 2 November 2025)
1 hare was caught and pinned to the ground by dogs. 2 hares were examined for injuries.

Lixnaw – Kerry (28, 29, 30 November 2025)
2 hares caught by the dogs and pinned to the ground. A vet noted “no visible injury” but this does not mean they did not have invisible internal injuries. The two pinned hares were “released as can't be coursed”

Loughrea (8, 9 November 2025)
5 hares suffered hits and 1 hare was pinned to the ground and examined for injuries.

Milltown Malbay (24, 25, 26 October 2025)
4 hares were hit by dogs and 4 were pinned to the ground.
1 hare was confirmed injured and died from injuries
One hare was seen with "ear bleeding from tag removal”

Mooncoin (26, 27 December 2025)
1 hare was caught, pinned to the ground and examined for injuries

New Ross (1, 2, 3 November 2025)
4 hares caught by dogs, pinned to the ground and examined for injuries

Newcastlewest, County Limerick (5, 6, 7 December 2025)
6 hares suffered hits and 2 of them were mauled into the ground.

North Kilkenny (20, 21 December 2025)
2 hares suffered hits and 3 were caught and pinned to the ground by dogs.

Old Kilcullen (29, 30 November 2025)
4 hares were hit and 5 were caught and pinned to the ground by dogs. 1 hare suffered injuries and was killed

Rathdowney / Borris in Ossory (12, 13, 14 December 2025)
2 hares were pinned to the ground by dogs and later examined for injuries.

Rathkeale & Limerick City (22, 23 November 2025)
1 hare hit on day 1. One hare was euthanised by vet on the day of release. According to a NPWS ranger, "the injury was severe and the hare unfit for release"

Regional & Tradaree at Clarina, Limerick (7, 8, 9 November 2025)
7 hares hit, 4 pinned

Roscommon (December 2025)
7 hares captured and released. Meeting cancelled - reason unknown.

Sevenhouses (9, 10, 11 January 2026)
1 hare hit, 3 pinned to the ground by dogs (these three hares were given Loxicom - an anti-inflammatory drug for the alleviation of inflammation and pain). 1 hare died from injuries and another hare died at release

Templetouhy (2, 3, 4 January 2026)
5 hares suffered hits

Thurles and Crohane and Killenaule (24, 25, 26 October 2025)
1 hare was hit and 2 were pinned to the ground. One hare got tangled in a wire fence during coursing. One hare “died during release”.

Tipperary and District (13, 14, 15 February 2026)
3 hares hit, 1 of them pinned and examined for injuries

Tubbercurry (9, 10, 11 January 2026)
Day 3 - 1 hare pinned, confirmed injured, died from injuries

TAKE ACTION

Contact the leaders of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Sinn Fein and tell them to support Paul Murphy TD’s Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill when it returns to Dáil Éireann on 2nd July 2026 for Second Stage debate and vote.

Micheál Martin TD
Leader, Fianna Fail
Email: micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie; info@fiannafail.ie
Tel: 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
Tel: (01) 727 7102
Email: marylou.mcdonald@oireachtas.ie
X: https://twitter.com/MaryLouMcDonald
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MaryLouMcDonaldTD

Email Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Sinn Fein TDs and urge them to vote in favour of the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill.

Fianna Fail TDs

john.mcguinness@oireachtas.ie;peterchap.cleere@oireachtas.ie;jennifer.murnaneoconnor@oireachtas.ie;brendan.smith@oireachtas.ie;niamh.smyth@oireachtas.ie;cathal.crowe@oireachtas.ie;timmy.dooley@oireachtas.ie;james.oconnor@oireachtas.ie;padraig.osullivan@oireachtas.ie;michael.moynihan@oireachtas.ie;aindrias.moynihan@oireachtas.ie;seamus.mcgrath@oireachtas.ie;micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie;christopher.osullivan@oireachtas.ie;patthecope.gallagher@oireachtas.ie;Charlie.McConalogue@oireachtas.ie;tom.brabazon@oireachtas.ie;jim.ocallaghan@oireachtas.ie;darragh.obrien@oireachtas.ie;shane.moynihan@oireachtas.ie;paul.mcauliffe@oireachtas.ie;shay.brennan@oireachtas.ie;catherine.ardagh@oireachtas.ie;john.lahart@oireachtas.ie;jack.chambers@oireachtas.ie;Minister@per.gov.ie;cormac@cormacdevlin.ie;albert.dolan@oireachtas.ie;john.connolly@oireachtas.ie;michael.cahill@oireachtas.ie;norma.foley@oireachtas.ie;minister@dcde.gov.ie;naoise.ocearuil@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;erin.mcgreehan@oireachtas.ie;dara.calleary@oireachtas.ie; ministerdrcd@drcd.gov.ie; thomas.byrne@oireachtas.ie;aisling.dempsey@oireachtas.ie;tony.mccormack@oireachtas.ie;martin.daly@oireachtas.ie;eamon.scanlon@oireachtas.ie;ryan.omeara@oireachtas.ie;mary.butler@oireachtas.ie;james.browne@oireachtas.ie; minister@housing.gov.ie;malcolm.byrne@oireachtas.ie

Fine Gael TDs

catherine.callaghan@oireachtas.ie;david.maxwell@oireachtas.ie;joe.cooney@oireachtas.ie;colm.burke@oireachtas.ie;johnpaul.oshea@oireachtas.ie;jerry.buttimer@oireachtas.ie;naoise.omuiri@oireachtas.ie;james.geoghegan@oireachtas.ie;Paschal.Donohoe@oireachtas.ie;grace.boland@oireachtas.ie;emer.higgins@oireachtas.ie;maeve.oconnell@oireachtas.ie;neale.richmond@oireachtas.ie;colm.brophy@oireachtas.ie;emer.currie@oireachtas.ie;barry.ward@oireachtas.ie;jennifer.carrollmacneill@oireachtas.ie;peter.roche@oireachtas.ie;hildegarde.naughton@oireachtas.ie;joe.neville@oireachtas.ie;Martin.Heydon@oireachtas.ie;william.aird@oireachtas.ie;kieran.odonnell@oireachtas.ie;Patrick.O'Donovan@oireachtas.ie;peter.burke@oireachtas.ie;micheal.carrigy@oireachtas.ie;paula.butterly@oireachtas.ie;alan.dillon@oireachtas.ie;keira.keogh@oireachtas.ie;helen.mcentee@oireachtas.ie;john.clendennen@oireachtas.ie;frank.feighan@oireachtas.ie;michael.murphy@oireachtas.ie;john.cummins@oireachtas.ie;Simon.Harris@oireachtas.ie;edward.timmins@oireachtas.ie;brian.brennan@oireachtas.ie;noel.mccarthy@oireachtas.ie

Sinn Fein TDs

natasha.newsomedrennan@oireachtas.ie; cathy.bennett@oireachtas.ie; matt.carthy@oireachtas.ie; donna.mcgettigan@oireachtas.ie; pat.buckley@oireachtas.ie; thomas.gould@oireachtas.ie; donnchadh.olaoghaire@oireachtas.ie; Pearse.Doherty@oireachtas.ie; padraig.maclochlainn@oireachtas.ie; denise.mitchell@oireachtas.ie; MaryLou.McDonald@oireachtas.ie; louise.oreilly@oireachtas.ie; eoin.obroin@oireachtas.ie; mark.ward@oireachtas.ie; dessie.ellis@oireachtas.ie; maire.devine@oireachtas.ie; aengus.osnodaigh@oireachtas.ie; Sean.Crowe@oireachtas.ie; paul.donnelly@oireachtas.ie; louis.ohara@oireachtas.ie; mairead.farrell@oireachtas.ie; pa.daly@oireachtas.ie; maurice.quinlivan@oireachtas.ie; sorca.clarke@oireachtas.ie; joanna.byrne@oireachtas.ie; ruairi.omurchu@oireachtas.ie; rose.conwaywalsh@oireachtas.ie; darren.orourke@oireachtas.ie; johnny.guirke@oireachtas.ie; claire.kerrane@oireachtas.ie; martin.kenny@oireachtas.ie; david.cullinane@oireachtas.ie; conor.mcguinness@oireachtas.ie; johnny.mythen@oireachtas.ie; john.brady@oireachtas.ie; fionntan.osuilleabhain@oireachtas.ie

Sample Letter
(If you have time, please compose your own personal letter)

Dear Deputy,

I implore you to help bring cruel hare coursing to an end in Ireland by voting in favour of Paul Murphy TD’s Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 when it returns to the Dail on 2nd July for Second Stage debate and vote.

Under licence from the Department of Heritage, coursers net thousands of hares from the wild, transport them in boxes to coursing compounds, manhandle them, hold them in captivity for weeks/months and eventually force them to run for their lives in front of greyhounds.

All the hares suffer fear and stress and, despite the muzzling of the dogs, hares are injured and killed every coursing season when they are caught and mauled. Among the injuries documented are broken back, spinal injury, broken legs, damaged toes and dislocated hips.

Hares suffer at all stages – during capture, while held captive and at the coursing meetings where they can be seen desperately running as a merciless mob cheer the dogs on and gamble on which will be first to force the hare to change direction. Coursing compromises the welfare of hares and those who survive the ordeal remain at risk of dying from stress-related capture myopathy in the days and weeks after they are released back to the wild.

With the suffering, stress, injury and death caused to hares at coursing meetings, there should be no hesitation in finally ending this shameful activity. This would be widely welcomed by the 77% majority of Irish citizens who want coursing banned (just 9% disagree with a ban. Source: RED C poll).

Ireland is in the middle of a biodiversity crisis and it’s time for the iconic Irish Hare to be given full protection and allowed to live free from persecution.

Please support the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 on 2nd July.

Thank you. I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

[Name/Address]

Please also get in touch with your local TDs and urge them to pledge support for a ban. Visit the Oireachtas website for contact details https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/tds/?term=/ie/oireachtas/house/dail/34