There are renewed appeals to the government to stop RECKLESSLY allowing hare coursing meetings to continue, despite soaring COVID-19 infections.
Cruel coursers are preparing to come together again on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to continue with their shameful barbarity.
Three-day meetings in Abbeydorney and Ennis Clarecastle begin tomorrow, Friday, with a 2-day meet in Killucan, County Westmeath also taking place over the weekend.
An Irish Coursing Club notice reveals that up to two people are allowed to attend with each greyhound - one to bring the dog to the release area at the bottom of the field and another at the other end to catch the dog after the hare has been terrorised.
On the first day of the Abbeydorney meet in County Kerry, 74 greyhounds are listed, meaning as many as 148 people will be in attendance, not including organisers.
At Ennis Clarecastle on Friday, 52 greyhounds are listed, with up to 104 or more people due to attend.
On the first day of the Westmeath United meeting on Saturday, 72 greyhounds are listed, with up to 144 or more people attending.
Coursing is being allowed to proceed despite appeals to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Tanaiste Leo Varadkar.
In an appeal to Minister Donnelly and the government, ICABS pointed out that the large number of coursers coming together for their barbarism is contrary to Level 3 of Ireland’s nationwide Plan for Living with COVID-19 which makes it clear that organised outdoor gatherings can only have “up to a maximum of 15 people”.
“In the interests of public safety and doing everything possible to slow the spread of COVID-19, it is imperative that you act to prevent this and subsequent coursing meets from going ahead,” we stated.
Despite growing worries about coronavirus, the coursers are shamefully determined not to let the pandemic get in their way. A published coursing fixtures list includes 65 1-, 2- and 3-day meetings around the country between now and the end of February.
The government MUST NOT allow coursing to continue. It is reckless and unforgivable to give a free pass to coursers and it is making a mockery of public health guidelines.
Find out more about Coronavirus (COVID-19) and how you can protect yourself and your family at https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/
ACTION ALERT
Contact Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and the Irish Government today and demand that hare coursing is stopped. If coursing is taking place in your area, contact the local Gardai and ask them to take action to stop the meeting - find contact details at https://www.garda.ie/en/Contact-Us/Station-Directory/
Health Minister, Stephen Donnelly
Tel: (01) 201 7300 or (01) 618 3041
Email: ministersoffice@health.gov.ie
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DonnellyforWicklow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DonnellyStephen
Micheál Martin, Taoiseach
Email: micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie; info@fiannafail.ie
Phone: +353 (0)1–618 4350 or +353 (0)21-432 0088
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michealmartintd/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@MichealMartinTD
Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste
Telephone: +353 (0)1-704 3630 OR +353 (0)1-640 3133
Email: leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie; finegael@finegael.ie
Tweet to: @LeoVaradkar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeoVaradkar
Contact Minister Darragh O’Brien and demand a withdrawal of the 2020-21 coursing licence.
Minister Darragh O’Brien (Fianna Fail, Dublin Fingal)
Tel: (01) 618 3802 OR (086) 251 9893
Email: darragh.obrien@oireachtas.ie; minister@housing.gov.ie
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DarraghOBrienTD
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DarraghOBrienTD
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