The views of 2024 local elections candidates in relation to animal cruelty issues. Please contact candidates and ask them where they stand on fox hunting, hare coursing, greyhound racing and other activities involving cruelty to animals. Please support compassionate candidates and reject those who support animal cruelty.
Find the full list of candidates at
https://www.sdcc.ie/en/services/our-council/elections-and-voting/local-elections-2024/
Darragh Adelaide (People Before Profit, South Dublin County Council candidate – Clondalkin)
People Before Profit’s animal welfare policies include: Introduce a complete ban on the hunting of wild mammals with hounds, introduce a complete ban on coursing live hares, ban the sale of fur within Ireland, end badger culling by traps, snares and shooting and increase financial support for animal welfare charities – https://www.pbp.ie/policies/animal-welfare-policy/
Cllr William Carey (Sinn Féin, South Dublin County Council – Clondalkin)
At a meeting of South Dublin County Council on 11 April 2023, Cllr William Joseph Carey shamefully voted AGAINST a motion which called on the government to ban cruel hare coursing. The motion – “South Dublin County Council supports the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 and will write to the Minister for Agriculture, calling for a ban on hare coursing” – was passed after 17 voted in favour (with just six voting against and two abstentions).
Cllr Yvonne Collins (Fianna Fáil, South Dublin County Council – Rathfarnham Templeogue)
“I support a long overdue ban on hare coursing and fox hunting.” From an email to ICABS, September 2020.
At a meeting of South Dublin County Council on 11 April 2023, Cllr Yvonne Collins voted in favour of a motion which called on the government to ban cruel hare coursing. The motion – “South Dublin County Council supports the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 and will write to the Minister for Agriculture, calling for a ban on hare coursing” – was passed after 17 voted in favour (with just six voting against and two abstentions).
Cllr Teresa Costello (Fianna Fáil, South Dublin County Council – Tallaght Central)
At a meeting of South Dublin County Council on 11 April 2023, Cllr Teresa Costello voted in favour of a motion which called on the government to ban cruel hare coursing. The motion – “South Dublin County Council supports the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 and will write to the Minister for Agriculture, calling for a ban on hare coursing” – was passed after 17 voted in favour (with just six voting against and two abstentions).
Cllr Laura Donaghy (Green Party, South Dublin County Council – Clondalkin)
At a meeting of South Dublin County Council on 11 April 2023, Cllr Laura Donaghy voted in favour of a motion which called on the government to ban cruel hare coursing. The motion – “South Dublin County Council supports the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 and will write to the Minister for Agriculture, calling for a ban on hare coursing” – was passed after 17 voted in favour (with just six voting against and two abstentions).
Speaking in support of a 11 April 2023 motion which called for a ban on hare coursing, Cllr Laura Donaghy commented that “it is not representative of rural Ireland to say that [hare coursing] is enjoyed by anything other than a very small minority of people” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5KaBWlCzMI
Cllr Mick Duff (Independent, South Dublin County Council – Tallaght Central)
“I fully favour a complete ban on coursing and foxhunting” from a text message to ICABS, February 2015.
In 2010, Cllr Duff proposed a motion calling for a ban on the import and sale of fur which was successfully passed by South Dublin County Council. He also supported a motion to ban circuses with wild animals from public lands in South County Dublin and monitors dog pounds in the county.
Independent Councillor Mick Duff brought the issue up at a recent South Dublin County Council meeting. “The [badger baiting] incident in Tymon Park was reported to me by one of the rangers. He came upon a group of men who were there with their dogs and shovels. I was astonished, people were asking about the wildlife in the park. The park is a magnificent facility to have and has a diverse range of wildlife. I was horrified. To think that they’re doing this for sport is awful, it’s horrible and it’s cruel.” from Gardai called after ‘badger baiting’ incident in Tallaght park, Independent.ie, 6 January 2023.
At a meeting of South Dublin County Council on 11 April 2023, Cllr Mick Duff voted in favour of a motion which called on the government to ban cruel hare coursing. The motion – “South Dublin County Council supports the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 and will write to the Minister for Agriculture, calling for a ban on hare coursing” – was passed after 17 voted in favour (with just six voting against and two abstentions).
Speaking in support of a 11 April 2023 motion which called for a ban on hare coursing, Cllr Mick Duff said that hare coursing “should not be in existence in this day and age” and that its continuatio “is outrageous in the 21st Century.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5KaBWlCzMI
Cllr Louise Dunne (Sinn Féin, South Dublin County Council – Tallaght South)
“I would be happy to support a motion [in favour of a ban on bloodsports].” from an email to ICABS, September 2014.
At a meeting of South Dublin County Council on 11 April 2023, Cllr Louise Dunne voted in favour of a motion which called on the government to ban cruel hare coursing. The motion – “South Dublin County Council supports the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 and will write to the Minister for Agriculture, calling for a ban on hare coursing” – was passed after 17 voted in favour (with just six voting against and two abstentions).
Cllr Alan Edge (Independent, South Dublin County Council – Firhouse-Bohernabreena)
“I have always been, and I remain, implacably opposed to hare coursing and all other bloodsports” From an email to ICABS, March 2021.
Philomena Foster (People Before Profit candidate – South Dublin County Council – Firhouse-Bohernabreena)
People Before Profit’s animal welfare policies include: Introduce a complete ban on the hunting of wild mammals with hounds, introduce a complete ban on coursing live hares, ban the sale of fur within Ireland, end badger culling by traps, snares and shooting and increase financial support for animal welfare charities – https://www.pbp.ie/policies/animal-welfare-policy/
Kay Keane (People Before Profit, South Dublin County Council candidate – Tallaght South)
People Before Profit’s animal welfare policies include: Introduce a complete ban on the hunting of wild mammals with hounds, introduce a complete ban on coursing live hares, ban the sale of fur within Ireland, end badger culling by traps, snares and shooting and increase financial support for animal welfare charities – https://www.pbp.ie/policies/animal-welfare-policy/
Cllr Trevor Gilligan (Fianna Fáil, South Dublin County Council – Clondalkin)
“Tackling animal cruelty has been a priority for me since elected in Clondalkin in 2004. We need to look at more ways to catch offenders who harm animals, be that for money, for fun or otherwise. Only recently a small innocent dog was gravely harmed when dogs were let loose in a park. There must be a cruelty to animals register so that the public can know about people who cause cruelty to animals. I have worked with many groups in Clondalkin and outside towards tackling animal cruelty, I have put down many motions on this issue at council level and will continue to do so if re-elected in Clondalkin…I would support a ban on foxhunting and hare coursing.” from correspondence to ICABS, April 2014.
Cllr Paul Gogarty (Independent, South Dublin County Council – Lucan)
Paul Gogarty is a former Green Party TD.
“I’ll definitely support phasing out and banning hare coursing permanently” Facebook comment from Cllr Gogarty, November 2019.
“Hare coursing involves cruelty to both hares and dogs and this has to stop,” he stated. “I am not anti-greyhound racing, but an industry that knowingly engages in animal cruelty for profit is not one that should be allowed operate in such a fashion.” Speaking as a Green Party TD during a Dail debate on the Greyhound Industry (Doping Regulation) Bill 2006, 8th June 2006.
“If asked, the majority of people in Ireland wish to have stag hunting banned. The majority of people, including those living in rural areas, also wish to have hare coursing banned…the maths and the clout do not add up for the Green Party to ban hare coursing although we have expressed our desire to get rid of hare coursing.”
At a meeting of South Dublin County Council on 11 April 2023, Cllr Paul Nicholas Gogarty voted in favour of a motion which called on the government to ban cruel hare coursing. The motion – “South Dublin County Council supports the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 and will write to the Minister for Agriculture, calling for a ban on hare coursing” – was passed after 17 voted in favour (with just six voting against and two abstentions).
Speaking in support of a 11 April 2023 motion which called for a ban on hare coursing, Cllr Paul Gogarty said that if a referendum was held, the majority across Ireland would support a ban on hare coursing. “[Coursing] is inhumane, we live in a modern society and it should have been long gone,” he stated, dismissing as codswallop the claims that coursers are involved in conservation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5KaBWlCzMI
Cllr Lyn Hagin Meade (Green Party, South Dublin County Council – Firhouse-Bohernabreena)
At a meeting of South Dublin County Council on 11 April 2023, Cllr Lyn Hagin Meade presented a successful motion which called on the government to ban cruel hare coursing. The motion – “South Dublin County Council supports the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 and will write to the Minister for Agriculture, calling for a ban on hare coursing” – was passed after 17 voted in favour (with just six voting against and two abstentions).
Introducing a 11 April 2023 motion which called for a ban on hare coursing, Cllr Hagin Meade noted that hares are in decline, are an endangered species and that one of the threats they face is coursing. “During coursing, the fragile, solitary creatures are herded and netted, they’re kept in cramped conditions and then they are put in the coursing field where the muzzled dogs chase them,” Cllr Hagin Meade outlined. “The hares don’t know that the dogs are muzzled…The hares can be trampled, their bones can be broken, the dogs have claws and they are large and heavy in comparison to those hares. Why should any wild animal have to repeatedly run for their life in an enclosed space from dogs trained to catch them for entertainment value? Hares can be injured and stressed to the point of dying. Statistics show that there are hares that need to be euthanased because of their injuries. The five freedoms of animal welfare which apply in Ireland since 2016 include the freedoms from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment that avoid mental suffering. So why is coursing still legal here? In our 21st Century society, there is no place for animal cruelty, instilling fear into creatures that would otherwise live a peaceful life.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5KaBWlCzMI
Highlighting that hare coursing is banned in the UK, most EU countries and Australia, Cllr Hagin Meade said that “Ireland is really the outlier”. She referred to the 2019 RED C poll which found that a 77% majority want coursing banned, with just 9% disagreeing with a ban.
She said the council would contact the Department of Agriculture “to encourage the legality of the practice to be reconsidered”.
Cllr Alan Hayes (Independent, South Dublin County Council – Palmerstown-Fonthill)
“I support a ban on the cruel practice of hare coursing. It has no place being called a sport. I fail to see how it offers anything positive to society.”
Cllr Paddy Holohan (Independent, South Dublin County Council – Tallaght South)
“I will be voting in favour of [a motion calling for a ban on hare coursing]. There is no place for animal cruelty like this.” March 2023.
Cllr Madeleine Johansson (People Before Profit, South Dublin County Council – Palmerstown-Fonthill)
“I completely support a ban on hare coursing.” from an email to ICABS, March 2021.
“I’m in favour of a ban on cruel foxhunting and hare coursing” – Cllr Madeleine Johansson (in a 21 August 2016 tweet).
At a meeting of South Dublin County Council on 11 April 2023, Cllr Madeleine Johansson voted in favour of a motion which called on the government to ban cruel hare coursing. The motion – “South Dublin County Council supports the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 and will write to the Minister for Agriculture, calling for a ban on hare coursing” – was passed after 17 voted in favour (with just six voting against and two abstentions).
Speaking in support of a 11 April 2023 motion which called for a ban on hare coursing, Cllr Madeleine Johansson said she was “very happy to support this motion” and went on to acknowledge that “there’s been a lot more recognition about animal rights over the past few years” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5KaBWlCzMI
People Before Profit’s animal welfare policies include: Introduce a complete ban on the hunting of wild mammals with hounds, introduce a complete ban on coursing live hares, ban the sale of fur within Ireland, end badger culling by traps, snares and shooting and increase financial support for animal welfare charities – https://www.pbp.ie/policies/animal-welfare-policy/
Cllr Pamela Kearns (Labour Party, South Dublin County Council – Rathfarnham Templeogue)
“I am against any cruelty to animals.” from a text message to ICABS, May 2014.
“I am against hare coursing.” Cllr Pamela Kearns, January 2023.
At a meeting of South Dublin County Council on 11 April 2023, Cllr Pamela Kearns voted in favour of a motion which called on the government to ban cruel hare coursing. The motion – “South Dublin County Council supports the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 and will write to the Minister for Agriculture, calling for a ban on hare coursing” – was passed after 17 voted in favour (with just six voting against and two abstentions).
Speaking in support of a 11 April 2023 motion which called for a ban on hare coursing, Councillor Pamela Kearns described hare coursing as “just wrong” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5KaBWlCzMI
Conor Kelly (People Before Profit, South Dublin County Council candidate – Rathfarnham-Templeogue)
People Before Profit’s animal welfare policies include: Introduce a complete ban on the hunting of wild mammals with hounds, introduce a complete ban on coursing live hares, ban the sale of fur within Ireland, end badger culling by traps, snares and shooting and increase financial support for animal welfare charities – https://www.pbp.ie/policies/animal-welfare-policy/
Mark Kerins (People Before Profit, South Dublin County Council candidate – Lucan)
People Before Profit’s animal welfare policies include: Introduce a complete ban on the hunting of wild mammals with hounds, introduce a complete ban on coursing live hares, ban the sale of fur within Ireland, end badger culling by traps, snares and shooting and increase financial support for animal welfare charities – https://www.pbp.ie/policies/animal-welfare-policy/
Cllr Cathal King (Sinn Fein, South Dublin County Council – Tallaght South)
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Cathal King – who praised the hare as “such a majestic animal and very much related to our country” – told Cllr Hagin Meade that he fully supports “what you are trying to achieve” but that he had to abstain in the vote on her motion because of Sinn Fein’s current pro-coursing policy.
Cllr Mark Lynch (Green Party, South Dublin County Council – Rathfarnham-Templeogue)
At a meeting of South Dublin County Council on 11 April 2023, Cllr Mark Lynch voted in favour of a motion which called on the government to ban cruel hare coursing. The motion – “South Dublin County Council supports the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 and will write to the Minister for Agriculture, calling for a ban on hare coursing” – was passed after 17 voted in favour (with just six voting against and two abstentions).
Cllr Kieran Mahon (People Before Profit – Solidarity, South Dublin County Council – Tallaght Central)
“I am not a supporter of this form of ‘sport’ [hare coursing and foxhunting]” from a text message to ICABS, December 2014.
Cllr Lynn McCrave (Fine Gael, South Dublin County Council – Rathfarnham Templeogue)
At a meeting of South Dublin County Council on 11 April 2023, Cllr Lynn McCrave voted in favour of a motion which called on the government to ban cruel hare coursing. The motion – “South Dublin County Council supports the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 and will write to the Minister for Agriculture, calling for a ban on hare coursing” – was passed after 17 voted in favour (with just six voting against and two abstentions).
Cllr Ronan McMahon (Independent – formerly Renua, South Dublin County Council – Rathfarnham Templeogue)
“Yes, I am against these cruel activities [hare coursing and fox hunting] and against cruelty to animals in general.” from a text message to ICABS, December 2014.
At a meeting of South Dublin County Council on 11 April 2023, Cllr Ronan McMahon shamefully voted AGAINST a motion which called on the government to ban cruel hare coursing. The motion – “South Dublin County Council supports the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 and will write to the Minister for Agriculture, calling for a ban on hare coursing” – was passed after 17 voted in favour (with just six voting against and two abstentions).
Cllr David McManus (Fine Gael, South Dublin County Council – Rathfarnham Templeogue)
“Meeting the Irish Greyhound Derby Winner – Born Warrior [at Enniscorthy track]…Support Irish Racing!” – Tweet from Cllr. David McManus along with a photo of him and Enniscorthy Councillor Cathal Byrne posing with the greyhound, 30 October 2022 https://twitter.com/McManusDavid/status/1586816921026154497
“Great night at Shelbourne Park. Got to meet Ted the retired greyhound and enjoy great racing #gogreyhoundracing” Tweet from Cllr McManus, Oct 19, 2018.
Cllr McManus’s LinkedIn page shows that he was in a “communications” position with the Irish Greyhound Board between February 2017 and September 2018 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcmanusdavid
In November 2020, Cllr David McManus came on to RTE Radio 1’s “Today With Claire Byrne” show and spoke in favour of the government’s latest €19.2 million grant to greyhound racing – funding which two thirds of Irish citizens want ended. In defending the funding, Cllr McManus neglected to mention that he previously worked with the Irish Greyhound Board. When presenter Claire Byrne asked: “Are you a fan of greyhound racing? I’m just wondering why you are so invested”. To this, he responded: “Well no, I go horse racing. I go greyhound racing…”
At a meeting of South Dublin County Council on 11 April 2023, Cllr David McManus shamefully voted AGAINST a motion which called on the government to ban cruel hare coursing. The motion – “South Dublin County Council supports the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 and will write to the Minister for Agriculture, calling for a ban on hare coursing” – was passed after 17 voted in favour (with just six voting against and two abstentions).
Helen Meaney (Social Democrats Candidate, South Dublin County Council – Firhouse-Bohernabreena)
The Social Democrats are in favour of a ban on fox hunting and hare coursing and a phasing out of state funding to greyhound racing. The party’s animal welfare policy states: “The Social Democrats strongly advocate animal rights and recognise animals as intelligent, sentient beings capable of complex thought and of experiencing pain and suffering…We are in favour of harsher penalties for animal cruelty” See the full policy at https://www.socialdemocrats.ie/our-policies/animal-welfare/
Emma Murphy (Fianna Fáil, South Dublin County Council – Firhouse-Bohernabreena)
At a meeting of South Dublin County Council on 11 April 2023, Mayor Emma Murphy voted in favour of a motion which called on the government to ban cruel hare coursing. The motion – “South Dublin County Council supports the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 and will write to the Minister for Agriculture, calling for a ban on hare coursing” – was passed after 17 voted in favour (with just six voting against and two abstentions).
Stephen Nolan (Social Democrats Candidate, South Dublin County Council – Lucan)
The Social Democrats are in favour of a ban on fox hunting and hare coursing and a phasing out of state funding to greyhound racing. The party’s animal welfare policy states: “The Social Democrats strongly advocate animal rights and recognise animals as intelligent, sentient beings capable of complex thought and of experiencing pain and suffering…We are in favour of harsher penalties for animal cruelty” See the full policy at https://www.socialdemocrats.ie/our-policies/animal-welfare/
Patrice Nugent (Party for Animal Welfare candidate, South Dublin County Council – Tallaght South)
“I fully support a ban on Foxhunting & Hare coursing. These are archaic, cruel so called “sports” that have no place in modern society. Just because something is traditional does not make it right, ethical or humane. I am particularly passionate about this ban having a rabbit myself, closely related to the hare, I see on a firsthand basis what a beautiful, highly intelligent animal they are and as a prey animal, how easily they can be scared which can cause various types of issues from a damaged spine as it struggles, to a cardiac arrest. Intentionally causing a hare this stress is downright cruel. I also fully support an end to the government’s funding of greyhound racing. Millions of euros of taxpayers’ money which could be distributed to worthy sectors instead.” – Patrice Nugent, May 2024.
“I was sick of seeing how animals are treated in this country. That’s the reason I joined the Party for Animal Welfare – to do what I could do to help the voiceless. I am confident if not me, then one of the candidates in the Party for Animal Welfare will get elected. There have been a lot of promises that never come to fruition. The main problem is that it is up to ‘the powers that be’ to make a change and they don’t seem to care. That’s why our party is trying to get elected in whatever capacity so we have a representative, a voice for the animals” – Patrice Nugent quoted in “Trying to make animal welfare a big election issue”, Dublin People newspaper, 8 May 2024.
Cllr Derren Ó Brádaigh (Sinn Fein, South Dublin County Council – Lucan)
“I fully support a ban on hare coursing. Any pursuit styling itself a ‘sport’ and resulting in the deliberate and vicious death of any animal, is nothing more than cruelty and must be called out for what it is.” Cllr Derren Ó Brádaigh in a message to ICABS, February 2023.
“Sinn Féin Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh has voiced his concern about the future contractual arrangements for the welfare of dogs by South Dublin County Council. The councillor for Lucan-Palmerstown and North Clondalkin was speaking in the wake of recent allegations and upsetting images that were circulating regarding the conditions of both the existing pound and the dogs held there.” from “Councillor Calls For Singular ‘Not for Profit’ Dog Pound Facility”, 8th February 2021.
At a South Dublin County Council meeting in 2023, Derren Ó Brádaigh abstained in a vote on a motion calling on the government to ban cruel hare coursing https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2023/04/13/south-dublin-county-councillors-pass-motion-calling-for-ban-on-cruel-hare-coursing/
Cllr Eoin Ó Broin (Social Democrats, South Dublin County Council – Clondalkin)
“I unequivocally support a complete ban on coursing and foxhunting. These are archaic ‘sports’ whose time has passed.” – Councillor Eoin Ó Broin, February 2023.
Cllr Shirley O’Hara (Fine Gael, South Dublin County Council – Clondalkin)
At a meeting of South Dublin County Council on 11 April 2023, Cllr Shirley O’Hara shamefully voted AGAINST a motion which called on the government to ban cruel hare coursing. The motion – “South Dublin County Council supports the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 and will write to the Minister for Agriculture, calling for a ban on hare coursing” – was passed after 17 voted in favour (with just six voting against and two abstentions).
Cllr Baby Pereppadan (Fine Gael, South Dublin County Council – Tallaght South)
At a meeting of South Dublin County Council on 11 April 2023, Cllr Baby Pereppadan shamefully voted AGAINST a motion which called on the government to ban cruel hare coursing. The motion – “South Dublin County Council supports the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 and will write to the Minister for Agriculture, calling for a ban on hare coursing” – was passed after 17 voted in favour (with just six voting against and two abstentions).
Cllr Dermot Richardson (Independent – formerly Sinn Fein, South Dublin County Council – Tallaght South)
Requested information with a view to putting forward a council motion on the issue. December 2014.
Justin Sinnott (Social Democrats candidate, South Dublin County Council – Rathfarnam-Templeogue)
The Social Democrats are in favour of a ban on fox hunting and hare coursing and a phasing out of state funding to greyhound racing. The party’s animal welfare policy states: “The Social Democrats strongly advocate animal rights and recognise animals as intelligent, sentient beings capable of complex thought and of experiencing pain and suffering…We are in favour of harsher penalties for animal cruelty” See the full policy at https://www.socialdemocrats.ie/our-policies/animal-welfare/
Jess Spear, People Before Profit election candidate (South Dublin County Council – Tallaght Central)
I, along with members of People Before Profit (PBP), abhor the widespread cruel treatment of animals in our society which arises from the organisation of society for profit and the rift between humans and non-human nature caused by capitalism. From tail docking and sow crates, to live exports of male calves, hare coursing, and caged hens (to name only some of the cruel ways animals are treated) it’s clear that profits come at the expense of countless animal lives.
Central to PBP’s view on animal welfare is that animals are not raw materials for exploitation. They are sentient beings, who must be treated with respect and protected from mistreatment and abuse. This is why we have introduced bills to ban circus animals and hare coursing, and plan to introduce a Bill to recognise the sentience of animals in Irish law.
I think we need a ban on hare coursing and an end to all public funding of greyhound and horse racing.
We fight for animal rights and welfare and see this as an important part of the struggle to overturn the capitalist system, which is based on the abuse of Nature, including animals, and the exploitation of human labour. The eco-socialist society we are working for is one without exploitation, without cruelty and inequality for all.
Lynn Tierney (Social Democrats Candidate, South Dublin County Council – Clondalkin)
The Social Democrats are in favour of a ban on fox hunting and hare coursing and a phasing out of state funding to greyhound racing. The party’s animal welfare policy states: “The Social Democrats strongly advocate animal rights and recognise animals as intelligent, sentient beings capable of complex thought and of experiencing pain and suffering…We are in favour of harsher penalties for animal cruelty” See the full policy at https://www.socialdemocrats.ie/our-policies/animal-welfare/
Cllr Francis Timmons (Independent, South Dublin County Council – Clondalkin)
“Blood sports should be banned. Blood sports are cruel, inhumane and not an activity humans should engage in.” – Cllr Francis Timmons, September 2021.
“I fully support [an end to the licensing of hare coursing]. I am against coursing.” from an email to ICABS, August 2015.
“I support a ban [on foxhunting and hare coursing] and would support and /or put a motion down calling on a ban.” from an email to ICABS, September 2014.
At a meeting of South Dublin County Council on 11 April 2023, Cllr Francis Timmons voted in favour of a motion which called on the government to ban cruel hare coursing. The motion – “South Dublin County Council supports the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 and will write to the Minister for Agriculture, calling for a ban on hare coursing” – was passed after 17 voted in favour (with just six voting against and two abstentions).
Speaking in support of a 11 April 2023 motion which called for a ban on hare coursing, Cllr Francis Timmons condemned hare coursing as “barbaric, cruel and inhumane”. “It’s pure animal cruelty,” he said, pointing out that “Ireland is one of the last EU countries to allow this.”
Cllr Joanna Tuffy (Labour Party, South Dublin County Council – Lucan)
As a TD in 2010, Joanna Tuffy voted against the ban on cruel stag hunting.
“Studies carried out on the Ward Union Hunt found evidence of physiological recovery within three or four days and full recovery within ten days, and two months post hunt the hunted deer were found to be in good health.” Joanna Tuffy TD, Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages, 29 June 2010 – http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2010-06-29.475.0 In response, Minister Gormley stated: “I do not know what sort of information the Deputy has but one does not need to be a vet or any specialist to see that the animal in question is under severe stress. It is a domesticated animal. The vets to whom I have spoken have clearly stated that the animal is under severe stress.”
“The Labour Party opposes this legislation [ban on Ward Union deerhunt] because it is the wrong approach to maximising the protection of wildlife. It does nothing to protect wildlife but has a much more cynical motivation. It is an all-out unilateral ban on the Ward Union Hunt…People in rural communities feel under threat from this legislation and are concerned it is the thin end of the wedge.”
http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=DAL20100624.xml&Ex=All&Page=9
Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010: Second Stage, 24 June 2010.
At a meeting of South Dublin County Council on 11 April 2023, Cllr Joanna Tuffy shamefully voted AGAINST a motion which called on the government to ban cruel hare coursing. The motion – “South Dublin County Council supports the Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 and will write to the Minister for Agriculture, calling for a ban on hare coursing” – was passed after 17 voted in favour (with just six voting against and two abstentions).
Cllr Leah Whelan (People Before Profit – Solidarity, South Dublin County Council – Tallaght South)
“Animal cruelty upsets me so much” – Tweet from Leah Whelan, 7 January 2014
“All animal racing should be [stopped]” – Tweet from Leah Whelan, 16 July, 2015.
If you are an election candidate and wish to provide a statement outlining your views on animal cruelty issues, please email it to us at info@banbloodsports.com
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