Wicklow County Councillors and Animal Cruelty Issues

Political Views / Councillors

The views of councillors in relation to hare coursing, foxhunting and other animal cruelty issues. Please contact councillors and urge them to push for a ban on hunting, coursing, greyhound racing and all activities involving cruelty to animals. If councillors express support for activities involving animal cruelty, please let them know that their stance will affect your future voting decisions. 

Cllr Joe Behan (Independent, Wicklow County Council)
As a TD in 2010, Joe Behan voted AGAINST the Bill which banned carted deer hunting.

Cllr Anne Ferris (Labour Party, Wicklow, Bray East)
As a TD in March 2013, Anne Ferris voted against amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which sought to secure a ban on some of Ireland’s worst acts of cruelty to animals – foxhunting, hare coursing, digging out, terrierwork, ferreting, badger culling, fur farming and the use of animals in circus performances.

Cllr Mary Kavanagh (Independent, Wicklow County Council)
“I would support a ban on hare coursing and fox hunting. I consider these activities cause unnecessary cruelty and suffering to animals.” from an email to ICABS, September 2016.

Cllr Steven Matthews (Green Party, Wicklow County Council)
“I’m against animal cruelty in any bloodsport form.” from a tweet to ICABS, December 4th 2014.

Cllr Gerry O’Neill (Independent, Wicklow County Council)
“I am totally against both hare coursing and foxhunting. However foxhunting should not be confused with drag hunting which I have no problem with.” from an email to ICABS, July 2015.

Cllr Gerry Walsh (Fianna Fail, Wicklow County Council)
“I would not condone these types of activity [hare coursing and foxhunting].” from a text message to ICABS, December 2014.

Cllr Jennifer Whitmore (Social Democrats, Wicklow County Council)
“Short answer…Yes” – in reply to an ICABS email enquiry asking “Are you in favour of a ban on cruel hare coursing and foxhunting?” October 2014.

 Contact Wicklow County Councillors and ask them where they stand on animal cruelty issues. Find contact details at https://www.wicklow.ie/Living/Your-Council/Your-Councillors/Elected-Council-Members

If you are a Councillor and wish to provide a statement outlining your views on animal cruelty issues, please email it to us at info@banbloodsports.com

Sligo County Councillors and Animal Cruelty Issues

Political Views / Councillors

The views of councillors in relation to hare coursing, foxhunting and other animal cruelty issues. Please contact councillors and urge them to push for a ban on hunting, coursing, greyhound racing and all activities involving cruelty to animals. If councillors express support for activities involving animal cruelty, please let them know that their stance will affect your future voting decisions. 

Cllr Martin Baker (Fianna Fail, Sligo County Council, Ballymote-Tubbercurry)
“I am not in favour of a ban [on hare coursing and fox hunting].” from a text message to ICABS, December 2014. In September 2018, Cllr Baker voted against a council motion calling for a ban on fur farming.

Cllr Declan Bree (Independent, Sligo County Council, Strandhill)
“I am in favour of a ban on blood sports in Ireland. In a civilised society we should not authorise such cruel acts to occur and excuse it under a banner of ‘sport’, which it most certainly is not by any definition.” from an email to ICABS, February 2016.

“The vast majority of people find it abhorrent to torture dumb animals for a luxury product” Cllr Declan Bree during a council discussion about Ireland’s cruel fur farming. September 2018.

Cllr Marie Casserly (Independent, Sligo County Council, Drumcliff)
“I am in favour of a ban on hare coursing and foxhunting.” from an email to ICABS, August 2016.

“I am against any form of animal cruelty. There’s no reason why they can’t do a drag hunt in relation to foxhunting. In that case, they leave out a scent and the dogs follow it and it’s very popular in other countries.” from “Casserly supports ban on blood sports”, Ocean FM, September 8, 2016.

In September 2018, Cllr Marie Casserly voted in support of a council motion calling for a ban on fur farming.

Thomas Healy (Sinn Fein, Sligo County Council, Drumcliff)
“I am against all forms of cruelty to animals.” from a tweet to ICABS, April 2014.

Cllr Tom MacSharry (Fianna Fail, Sligo County Council, Strandhill)
“I have to say that as someone who grew up surrounded by animals, I am totally against all forms of animal cruelty, including bloodsports” from a text message to ICABS, December 2014.

In September 2018, Cllr MacSharry voted against a council motion calling for a ban on fur farming.

Cllr Chris MacManus (Sinn Féin , Sligo County Council, Strandhill)
“People should be ashamed to wear fur” Cllr Chris McManus, during a council discussion about Ireland’s cruel fur farming. September 2018. Cllr MacManus voted in support of a council motion calling for a ban on fur farming.

Cllr Gino O’Boyle (People Before Profit, Sligo County Council, Strandhill)
In September 2018, Cllr O’Boyle tabled a motion calling on Sligo County Council to urge Agriculture Minister Michael Creed to ban fur farms. He told the meeting that the stress of confinement in tiny cages resulted in cannibalism. He said the minks were gassed to death before being skinned. “It’s time to put an end to this cruelty,” he told members. (Sligo Champion, September 15 2018)

Cllr Joseph Queenan (Independent, Sligo County Council, Tubbercurry)
In September 2018, Cllr Queenan voted against a council motion calling for a ban on fur farming.

Contact Sligo County Councillors and ask them where they stand on animal cruelty issues. Find contact details at http://www.sligococo.ie/YourCouncil/CountyCouncil/CountyCouncilMembers/

If you are a Councillor and wish to provide a statement outlining your views on animal cruelty issues, please email it to us at info@banbloodsports.com

Donegal County Councillors and Animal Cruelty Issues

Political Views / Councillors

The views of councillors in relation to hare coursing, foxhunting and other animal cruelty issues. Please contact councillors and urge them to push for a ban on hunting, coursing, greyhound racing and all activities involving cruelty to animals. If councillors express support for activities involving animal cruelty, please let them know that their stance will affect your future voting decisions. 

Cllr Gary Doherty (Sinn Fein, Donegal County Council)
“I am opposed to any form of blood sports and any activity which perpetuates undue and inhumane cruelty to animals.” from a text message to ICABS, June 2015.

Cllr Liam Doherty (Sinn Fein, Donegal County Council)
“I am in favour of a ban on hare coursing and foxhunting with dogs but I [believe] that the fox population needs to be controlled in some way preferably by shooting them which I think is the most humane way.” from a text message to ICABS, February 2015.

Cllr Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Esbuig (Independent, Donegal County Council)
“Totally opposed to bloodsports” in a call to ICABS, January 2015.

Cllr Patrick McGowan (Fianna Fail, Donegal County Council)
“Personally, I am against cruelty to any one.” from a text message to ICABS, October 2014.

Cllr John O’Donnell (Independent, Donegal County Council)
“I totally disagree with the torture that these poor animals are put through [in hare coursing and fox hunting].” from a text message to ICABS, November 2014.

 

Contact Donegal County Councillors and ask them where they stand on animal cruelty issues. Find contact details at http://www.donegalcoco.ie/yourcouncil/yourcouncillors/

If you are a Councillor and wish to provide a statement outlining your views on animal cruelty issues, please email it to us at info@banbloodsports.com

Cork County Councillors and Animal Cruelty Issues

Political Views / Councillors

The views of councillors in relation to hare coursing, foxhunting and other animal cruelty issues. Please contact councillors and urge them to push for a ban on hunting, coursing, greyhound racing and all activities involving cruelty to animals. If councillors express support for activities involving animal cruelty, please let them know that their stance will affect your future voting decisions.

Cllr Alan Coleman (Independent, Cork County Council)
“I support rural activities, particularly the hunts that are engaged in foxhunting. I don’t have an involvement myself but do give permission for my lands to be hunted.” from an email to ICABS, June 2014.

Cllr Marcia D’Alton (Independent, Cork County Council)
“Yes [I am in favour of a ban on hare coursing and foxhunting]” in a tweet to ICABS, October 2014.

Cllr Paul Hayes (Sinn Fein, Cork County Council)
“Cllr Paul Hayes said he had seen a behind-the-scenes video of the treatment of animals in circuses and described it as ‘very disturbing.'” Cllr Hayes supported an anti-circus motion tabled by Cllr Kieran McCarthy. (Source: Irish Examiner, June 10, 2014)

Cllr Kieran McCarthy (Independent, Cork County Council)
“I’m against bloodsports and I’m a supporter of well known Cobh animal rights group, ARK.” from a text message to ICABS, April 2014.

In 2014, Cllr McCarthy tabled a motion to ban circuses that use animals. “Forcing them to perform and keeping them locked up in cages is wrong,” he said. Circuses which do not use performing animals still provided good entertainment and the county council should be encouraging them instead, he suggested. “Only those should be welcome,” said Mr McCarthy. “Seven city and town councils have already passed bylaws preventing it [animal acts]. There’s no place in this day and age for using animals in circuses.” (Source: Irish Examiner, June 10, 2014)

Cllr Bernard Moynihan (Fianna Fail, Cork County Council)
In November 2018, the Irish Examiner reported that “plans to build a new reservoir to supply a drought-stricken village have been delayed by up to 18 months because of a colony of bats.” The response from Cllr Bernard Moynihan: “So bats are holding up the whole thing. Bats are now more important than the people.”

Cllr Padraig O’Sullivan (Fianna Fail, Cork County Council)
“Personally I’m not in favour of blood sports.” from a tweet to ICABS, August 2014.

Cllr Liam Quaide (Green Party, Midleton)
“I fully support a ban on fox-hunting, hare-coursing and fur farming. My Green Party colleague Mark Cronin who is running in Cork City North West has been very active in the anti-fur farming campaign. Fox-hunting and hare-coursing are perversions of what sport is meant to be about – a contest between equals or near-equals. These activities terrorise defenceless animals for the gratification of a small minority of people.” from an email to ICABS, 16 May 2019.

Contact Cork County Councillors and ask them where they stand on animal cruelty issues. Find contact details at https://www.corkcoco.ie/your-county-council/electedmembers

If you are a Councillor and wish to provide a statement outlining your views on animal cruelty issues, please email it to us at info@banbloodsports.com

Best Car Parks urged to stop sponsoring cruel greyhound racing

 

Dublin parking company, Best Car Parks, is being urged to stop sponsoring cruel greyhound racing.

The company is a major supporter of the dog-killing industry, having sponsored races at Shelbourne Park stadium since 2015. The prize money attached to its races has exceeded €100,000.

Most recently, it sponsored the 2019 Best Car Parks Gold Cup Open 525, with prize money of €44,010.

It has shamefully continued sponsoring racing after the shocking RTE Investigates documentary exposed the horrors of the greyhound industry, including the killing of 6,000 dogs every year because they are not fast enough to win races.

Shelbourne Park (where Best Car Parks operates a car park) is one of the worst tracks in Ireland for greyhound injuries and deaths. At least 146 greyhounds suffered injuries there and 36 were killed by a track vet over the past four years alone.

ACTION ALERT

Urge Best Car Parks to show compassion for the dogs and stop sponsoring greyhound racing. Tell the company that you will not use its car parks until the sponsorship ends.

Frank Moore
Managing Director
Best Car Parks Ireland
40 Northumberland Road
Dublin 4
Telephone: 01 878 2074
Email: info@bestcarparks.ie

Watch RTE Investigates: Greyhounds Running for Their Lives to witness the horrors of greyhound racing

 

Cork City Councillors and Animal Cruelty Issues

Political Views / Councillors

The views of councillors in relation to hare coursing, foxhunting and other animal cruelty issues. Please contact councillors and urge them to push for a ban on hunting, coursing, greyhound racing and all activities involving cruelty to animals. If councillors express support for activities involving animal cruelty, please let them know that their stance will affect your future voting decisions. 

Cllr Mick Finn (Independent, Cork City Council)
“I personally don’t like fox hunting or coursing, but I know that hunting has been around for centuries in Ireland. Many abhor but many also participate in these events.” March 2014.

Cllr Fiona Ryan (Solidarity, Cork City Council)
“I am completely and utterly against blood sports as well as any exploitation or endangerment of animals for human entertainment. The ending of barbaric live game hunting in the form of fox hunting and hare coursing must be considered a priority and I commit to continuing to use my position to work towards the ending of these bloody practices and to give platform to campaigning groups and organisations who wish to see the ending of these ‘sports’ too.” from a text message to ICABS, 31 May 2017.

Cllr Ted Tynan (Workers Party, Cork City Council)
“Very much yes [in favour of a ban on hare coursing and fox hunting].” from a text message to ICABS, November 2014.

Dan Boyle (Green Party, Cork City South Central)
“My views on blood sports are quite simple. I believe that the use of animals against animals for the purposes of ‘sport’, with the intent to kill or maim, is morally wrong and should be suitably legislated against.”

Colette Finn (Green Party)
Oliver Moran (Green Party)
Lorna Bogue (Green Party)
The Green Party is in favour of a ban on bloodsports, including fox hunting, hare coursing, hare hunting and mink hunting. It also supports a ban on fur farming and an end to the Department of Agriculture’s cruel snaring and killing of badgers. See the party’s full animal welfare policy document at https://www.greenparty.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Green-Party-Animal-Welfare-Policy_June-20151.pdf

Contact Cork City Councillors and ask them where they stand on animal cruelty issues. Find contact details at https://www.corkcity.ie/en/council-services/councillors-and-democracy/meet-your-councillors/

If you are a Councillor and wish to provide a statement outlining your views on animal cruelty issues, please email it to us at info@banbloodsports.com

Clare Councillors and Animal Cruelty Issues

Political Views / Councillors

The views of councillors in relation to hare coursing, foxhunting and other animal cruelty issues. Please contact councillors and urge them to push for a ban on hunting, coursing, greyhound racing and all activities involving cruelty to animals. If councillors express support for activities involving animal cruelty, please let them know that their stance will affect your future voting decisions.

Cllr Mike McKee (Sinn Fein, Clare County Council)
“Always was and always will be in favour of a complete ban [on hare coursing and fox hunting].” from a text message to ICABS, November 2014.

Roisin Garvey (Green Party, Clare, Ennistymon)
The Green Party is in favour of a ban on bloodsports, including fox hunting, hare coursing, hare hunting and mink hunting. It also supports a ban on fur farming and an end to the Department of Agriculture’s cruel snaring and killing of badgers. See the party’s full animal welfare policy document at https://www.greenparty.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Green-Party-Animal-Welfare-Policy_June-20151.pdf

Contact Clare Councillors and ask them where they stand on animal cruelty issues. Find contact details at https://www.clarecoco.ie/your-council/about-the-council/councillors/

If you are a Councillor and wish to provide a statement outlining your views on animal cruelty issues, please email it to us at info@banbloodsports.com