Ballina Councillor says it's regrettable that hare-coursing is being facilitated at a centre for people with disabilities Midwest Radio, 17 January 2017 A Ballina councillor says it’s regrettable that hare-coursing is being facilitated at a centre for people with disabilities. It emerged yesterday that staff and service users at the HSE-run Ballina Training Centre have been involved in training greyhounds for hare-coursing, and have attended coursing events. The HSE confirmed that the service has been supporting the activity for clients, but added that this support does not constitute an endorsement or approval of hare coursing. Ballina Independent Councillor Gerry Ginty, who’s involved with the horse and donkey sanctuary in north Mayo, says it’s unfortunate that hare-coursing is still legal in this country, as it’s illegal in many other countries including England, Scotland, Wales and northern Ireland. Councillor Ginty said it’s regrettable that this would be considered an appropriate past-time for service users at the Ballina Training Centre, and said he’s totally opposed to the controversial sport. ICABS ACTION ALERT Join us in contacting the Minister for Health Simon Harris and the HSE to demand an immediate end to the Ballina Training Centre's involvement with cruel hare coursing. Minister for Health, Simon Harris Department of Health Hawkins House Dublin 2 Tel: 01 635 4000 or 01 618 3805 Email: ministersoffice@health.gov.ie, simon.harris@oireachtas.ie Comment on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DeputySimonHarris Tweet to @SimonHarrisTD Tony O’Brien, HSE Director General Dr. Steevens’ Hospital, Dublin 8 Tel: 01 635 2000 Email: info@hse.ie, hselive@hse.ie Tweet to: @hselive @dghealthservice Comment on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hselive Callsave: 1850 24 1850 Ballina Training Centre (096) 71976