Three General Election candidates sent “best wishes” to cruel hare coursers last month, ICABS can reveal.
Candidates Pa Daly, John Brassil and Niall Collins conveyed the shameful messages in adverts placed in a booklet for a coursing meeting in January.
In his ad, Cllr Pa Daly (Sinn Fein, Kerry) wrote: "Best wishes to Castleisland Coursing Club from Pa Daly, Sinn Fein Cllr". ICABS understands that Pa Daly, who is hoping to replace outgoing pro-coursing TD Martin Ferris in tomorrow’s election, has attended hare coursing meetings.
Fianna Fail TDs John Brassil (Kerry) and Niall Collins (Limerick) also placed ads in the coursing booklet.
- "John Brassil TD wishes Castleisland Coursing Club all the very best this weekend and into the future"
- "Best wishes to Castleisland Coursing Club from Niall Collins, Fianna Fail TD"
At the Castleisland coursing meeting, hares (cruelly snatched from the countryside) were used as live bait for pairs of greyhounds to chase, while a merciless mob gambled on which dog would force the hare to change direction first.
Sickening video footage - sent to ICABS by a member of the public - captures the moment one of the unfortunate hares was hit and mauled into the ground https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clz5YiJ1I98
A greyhound can be seen tumbling before the hare is caught and pinned by the dogs. Coursers can be seen running in, with one of them retrieving the stricken hare and carrying the animal out of sight behind a barrier.
The fate of the hare is unknown. In the past, documents obtained by ICABS confirm that hares have suffered injuries and died at the Castleisland coursing meet.
Shame on Pa Daly, John Brassil and Niall Collins for supporting hare coursing.
They are very much in the minority in backing this bloodsport. A RED C poll, commissioned by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports, reveals that a massive 77% agree that the government should BAN HARE COURSING. The opinion poll carried out in September found that just 9% disagree with a ban.
In tomorrow’s election, please reject candidates who support animal cruelty and give your support to candidates who pledge to push for an end to hare coursing, foxhunting, greyhound racing, etc.
Find out the views of Election 2020 candidates on our special election page: https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2020/01/08/general-election-2020-candidates-and-animal-cruelty-issues/
SEE ALSO:
A RED C poll, commissioned by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports, reveals that a massive 77% agree that the government should BAN HARE COURSING https://www.facebook.com/banbloodsports/posts/2513861852062691
ACTION ALERT
With warnings from wildlife experts that the Irish Hare is in trouble, it is now more clear than ever that the species must be given FULL PROTECTION - no hare coursing, no hare hunting, no hare shooting. Urgently contact the leaders of political parties and demand that they end hare coursing and all bloodsports.
Leo Varadkar
Leader, Fine Gael
Government Buildings,
Upper Merrion St, Dublin 2
Telephone: 01-619 4020
Email: taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie; leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie; finegael@finegael.ie
Tweet to: http://www.twitter.com/@LeoVaradkar
Leave a comment on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeoVaradkar
Fine Gael
51 Upper Mount Street
Dublin 2
Tel: 01 619 8444
Email: finegael@finegael.ie
Tweet to @FineGael
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FineGael/
Micheál Martin
Leader, Fianna Fail
Constituency Office
137 Evergreen Road,
Turner’s Cross, Cork
Email: micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie
Phone: 021-432 0088
Leinster House: 01–618 3000
Leave a comment on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/michealmartintd/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@MichealMartinTD
Mary Lou McDonald TD
Leader, Sinn Fein
Tel: (01) 727 7102
Email: marylou.mcdonald@oireachtas.ie
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryLouMcDonald
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MaryLouMcDonaldTD
Brendan Howlin TD
Leader, Labour Party
Tel: 053 9124036 / 053 9123765
Email: brendan.howlin@oireachtas.ie
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@BrendanHowlin
Urge parties to pledge support for a ban on hare coursing and foxhunting and an end to state funding of greyhound racing. RED C opinion polls have shown that a 77% majority want hare coursing and foxhunting banned, while two out of three adults want the government to stop funding greyhound racing.