2019 Local Election Candidates and Animal Cruelty Issues – Wicklow

The views of 2019 Local Election Candidates (Wicklow) in relation to animal cruelty issues. Please support compassionate candidates and reject those who defend animal cruelty.

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

Anne Ferris (Labour Party, Wicklow):
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 Nicola Lawless (Sinn Fein, Wicklow County Council)
“Yes I would be in favour of a ban on cruel hare coursing and fox hunting. I am against animal cruelty.” from a tweet to ICABS, May 2014.

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 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.

Lourda Scott (Green Party)

People Before Profit candidates
Sharon Briggs
June Maher
Pyper Ludlow

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 fur farming and End badger culling by traps, snares and shooting – http://www.pbp.ie/policies/animal-welfare-policy/

 

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

 

2019 Local Election Candidates and Animal Cruelty Issues – Fingal

The views of 2019 Local Election Candidates (Fingal County) in relation to animal cruelty issues. Please support compassionate candidates and reject those who defend animal cruelty.

Carah Daniel (Solidarity, Balbriggan)
One of the founders of Balbriggan-based animal rights group, Not For Your Entertainment, Carah Daniel has been an active campaigner, raising awareness and getting support for campaigns circus cruelty, greyhound racing, hare coursing and fur farming.

“I am a vegan and animal rights activist,” Carah says on her Facebook page. “I worked with Solidarity TD Paul Murphy when he introduced the Prohibition of Wild Animals in Circuses Bill 2017, which was a huge success, and an important step in banning all animals in circuses. I hope to be able to use the platform of the local elections to raise animal rights issues as much as possible.”

Cllr Paul Donnelly (Sinn Fein, Fingal County Council)
“I am opposed to blood “sports” and I find that term offensive. I would fully support a ban on these activities.” from an email to ICABS, June 2015.

Cllr David Healy (Green Party, Fingal County Council)
“I am opposed to all blood sports including fox hunting and coursing and in favour of a ban on them.” March 2014.

Cllr Daire Ní Laoi (Sinn Fein, Fingal County Council)
“I am totally opposed to blood sports & very much in favour of a ban on hare coursing and foxhunting.” from a tweet to ICABS, November 2014.

Cllr Roderic O’Gorman (Green Party, Fingal County Council)
“I have always strongly opposed blood sports, as I believe there is no moral justification for setting one animal against another for human enjoyment. If elected to Fingal County Council I will use all available powers of the local authority to oppose blood sports”. Roderic O’Gorman, March 2014

In January 2012, Roderic O’Gorman, along with Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, were thanked for attending an anti-coursing protest outside the Department of Agriculture in Dublin.

Cllr Malachy Quinn (Sinn Fein, Fingal County Council)
“I am in favour [of a ban on hare coursing and fox hunting].” from a text message to ICABS, November 2014.

Cllr Duncan Smith (Labour Party, Fingal County Council)
“I abhor the practice of hare coursing and foxhunting.” from a tweet to ICABS, May 2014.

Cllr Natalie Treacy (Sinn Fein, Fingal County Council)
“I am against any form of animal cruelty, and would be in total favour of a ban on bloodsports.” from a message left on ICABS blog, June 2015.

Other Green Party candidates
Joe O’Brien
Maria Salahovs
Daniel Whooley
Ian Carey

People Before Profit candidates
John Uwhumiakpor
Geraldine Carroll

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 fur farming and End badger culling by traps, snares and shooting – http://www.pbp.ie/policies/animal-welfare-policy/

 

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

2019 Local Election Candidates and Animal Cruelty Issues – Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown

The views of 2019 Local Election Candidates (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown) in relation to animal cruelty issues. Please support compassionate candidates and reject those who defend animal cruelty.

Cllr John F Bailey (Fine Gael, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
“I’d like to see action [being taken against urban foxes]”. In November 2014, he “fully supported” a council motion which described urban foxes as a “problem” and which called for action to be taken to deal with them.

Cllr Shay Brennan (Fianna Fail, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
“Naturally I oppose cruelty to animals” from a tweet to ICABS, 12th August 2014.

Cllr Anne Colgan (Independent, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
“l favour a ban on hare coursing and fox hunting.” from an email to ICABS, August 2016.

Cllr Chris Curran (Sinn Fein, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
“No brainer! Cruelty against Animals in such form is wrong” in response to an ICABS tweet asking “Cllr Curran – What is your stance on animal cruelty? Are you in favour of a ban on cruel hare coursing and foxhunting?” In November 2014, he voted against a council motion which described urban foxes as a “problem” and which called for action to be taken to deal with them.

Cllr Mary Fayne (Fine Gael, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
“As an animal lover I am of course against blood sports” from a tweet to ICABS, 5th August 2014. In November 2014, she voted against a council motion which described urban foxes as a “problem” and which called for action to be taken to deal with them.

Cllr Melissa Halpin (People Before Profit Alliance, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
“As a socialist I completely abhor animal cruelty and all blood sports. In particular I am against the kind of intensive farming practices that see animals being imprisoned and force fed. Unfortunately, I believe that as long as we have a society that is driven by the profit motive, we will continue to see these practices and for that reason I think it is right to make this an election issue.” from an email to ICABS, April 2014.

Cllr Mary Hanafin (Fianna Fail, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
As a TD in 2005, Mary Hanafin was one of 62 Fianna Fail TDs who voted against the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill 2004. In November 2014, she voted in favour of a council motion which described urban foxes as a “problem” and which called for action to be taken to deal with them.

“From WikiLeaks: How the USA got access to Ireland’s secrets”, Irish Independent, May 31 2011: “A leaked cable reveals how former minister and current Fianna Fail vice-president Mary Hanafin briefed the American Embassy on tense ongoing coalition negotiations. The word “PROTECT” appears beside her name in the cable, meaning her identity and/or her comments were not to be made public. Ms Hanafin last night confirmed she gave the briefing at the behest of US Ambassador Dan Rooney. According to the dispatch, Ms Hanafin made a number of derogatory comments about her Green Party coalition partners. “She said she had the impression that, if some of the Greens had their way, the Programme for Government would emphasize ‘hares, stags and badgers while everyone else in the country is drowning in this economy’,” Ambassador Rooney told Washington in the cable. Ms Hanafin refused to say last night if she stood over the remarks attributed to her.”

Cllr Deirdre Kingston (Labour, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
In November 2014, she voted against a council motion which described urban foxes as a “problem” and which called for action to be taken to deal with them.

Cllr Hugh Lewis (People Before Profit Alliance, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
“As a vegetarian, I believe that all forms of cruelty to animals is unacceptable.”

Cllr Lettie McCarthy (Labour, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
“I have the greatest respect for animals and oppose all cruelty.” from an email to ICABS, April 2014.

Michael Merrigan (Independent, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council)
“I am totally against blood sports.” from a tweet to ICABS, May 2014.

 

Cllr Sorcha Nic Cormaic (Sinn Fein, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council)
In November 2014, she voted against a council motion which described urban foxes as a “problem” and which called for action to be taken to deal with them.

Cllr Peter O’Brien (Labour, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
“I fully support the banning of hare coursing and fox hunting. Putting an animal through undue stress and torture is not a form of entertainment and should be condemned by all.” from an email to ICABS, August 2016.

Cllr Shane O’Brien (Sinn Fein, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
In November 2014, he voted against a council motion which described urban foxes as a “problem” and which called for action to be taken to deal with them.

Cllr Denis O Callaghan (Labour, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
“I am opposed to animal cruelty in the areas of fox-hunting and hare coursing.” from an email to ICABS, April 2014.

 

Cllr Carrie Smyth (Labour, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
“I do not like to see cruelty to animals.” from an email to ICABS, April 2014.

Cllr Ossian Smyth (Green Party, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
“I am against animal cruelty.” from a tweet to ICABS, 5th August 2014. In November 2014, he voted against a council motion which described urban foxes as a “problem” and which called for action to be taken to deal with them.

Cllr Barry Ward (Fine Gael, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
In 2014, Cllr Ward proposed a motion calling on the National Parks and Wildlife Service to address the urban fox “problem”.

Other People Before Profit candidates
Lola Hynes
Cllr. Dave O’Keeffe
Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin
Danielle O’Rourke
Rachel Prendergast Spollen

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 fur farming and End badger culling by traps, snares and shooting – http://www.pbp.ie/policies/animal-welfare-policy/

Other Green Party candidates
Séafra Ó Faoláin
Cllr. Daniel Dunne
Deirdre Ní Fhloinn
Una Power
Eva Dowling

 

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

2019 Local Election Candidates and Animal Cruelty Issues – Dublin City

The views of 2019 Local Election Candidates (Dublin City) in relation to animal cruelty issues. Please support compassionate candidates and reject those who defend animal cruelty.

Cllr Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein, Dublin City Council)
In 2010, Chris Andrews TD voted in favour of the ban on carted deer hunting.

Cllr Cathleen Carney Boud (Sinn Fein, Dublin City Council)
“Yes I am in favour of a ban on blood sports” from a text message to ICABS, June 2015.

Cllr Janice Boylan (Sinn Fein, Dublin City Council)
“I vote against [hare coursing] at every Ard dheis I’ve been a delegate at. I am strongly opposed to it.” from a tweet to ICABS, Novemer 2015.

Cllr Christy Burke (Independent, Dublin City Council)
“I am against any form of animal cruelty.” from an email to ICABS, April 2014.

Donna Cooney (Green Party Candidate, Dublin City Council / Clontarf)
“I am committed (as are my party) to animal welfare. I am a vegetarian all my life. I help animals in need, whenever I can. I would be totally against blood sports or any activity that hurts animals. Although there is no hunting in Dublin city, I will as a representative if elected, always consider the welfare of animals in any council policy decision and lobby against hunting, fur, animal testing.” March 2014.

Cllr Ciaran Cuffe (Green Party, Dublin City Council)
“I am against all forms of blood sports.”

Cllr Daithí Doolan (Sinn Fein, Dublin City Council)
“Blood ‘sports’ are unacceptable & indefensible. I have been against blood ‘sports’ since I was a child. They always struck me as being terribly terribly cruel! I wish you well in campaigning to get them banned. Adh mór.” from a message left on ICABS blog, June 2015.

Cllr Mary Freehill (Labour Party, Dublin City Council)
“I’m very much in favour of a ban on foxhunting and hare coursing. Hare coursing in particular is extremely cruel.” from a tweet to ICABS, May 2014.

Cllr Alison Gilliland (Labour Party, Dublin City Council)
“Yes [add me to list of Labour Party politicians in favour of a ban on bloodsports]. No animal should be hunted down or deliberately set upon in the name of sport or pleasure.” from a tweet to ICABS, June 2015.

Cllr Jane Horgan-Jones (Labour Party, Dublin City Council)
“Yes [I am in favour of a ban on foxhunting and hare coursing].” from a tweet to ICABS, May 2014.

Cllr Vincent Jackson (Independent, Dublin City Council)
“I am, and have always been, against bloodsports.” from a text message to ICABS, May 2014.

Cllr Andrew Keegan (People Before Profit, Dublin City Council)
“I don’t support blood sports, senseless hunting, the fur trade or any cruel acts to any animal no matter how important it may be locally perceived.” from a text message to ICABS, November 2014.

Cllr Dermot Lacey (Labour Party, Dublin City Council)
“As a dog owner and animal lover generally I would be, and have been, supportive of typical animal rights issues over the years.” from an email to ICABS, April 2014.

Samantha Long (Independent)
“I am not personally in favour of any bloodsports. When this intense campaign period is over I will read more on your campaign.” from a tweet to ICABS, May 2014.

Cllr John Lyons (People Before Profit, Dublin City Council)
“I am most certainly in favour of a ban on these horrific activities [hare coursing and fox hunting].” from a text message to ICABS, November 2014.

Cllr Tina MacVeigh (People Before Profit, Dublin City Council)
“I most definitely am [in favour of a ban on hare coursing and fox hunting].” from a text message to ICABS, November 2014.

Cllr Ruairi McGinley (Independent)
“I am against hare coursing but do not have a problem with foxhunting” from a tweet to ICABS, October 2014. ICABS has urged Cllr McGinley to reconsider his stance on foxhunting and sent him information about the terrible cruelty involved.

Declan Meenagh (Labour Party Candidate, Dublin City Council)
“For the record, I am opposed to fox hunting.” from a tweet to ICABS, May 2014.

Cllr Rebecca Moynihan (Labour Party, Dublin City Council)
“Yes [add me to list of Labour Party politicians in favour of a ban on bloodsports]. I’m an animal lover.” from a tweet to ICABS, June 2015.

Cllr Michael Mullooly (Fianna Fail, Dublin City Council)
“I favour a ban on foxhunting and hare coursing.” from an email to ICABS, August 2016.

Cllr Criona Ni Dhalaigh (Sinn Fein, Dublin City Council)
“I am against any form of animal cruelty and abhor foxhunting and hare coursing.” from a text message to ICABS, May 2014.

Cllr Damian O’Farrell (Independent, Dublin City Council / Clontarf)
“I am absolutely against the killing of animals for sport. Furthermore I don’t agree with animals being held in circuses and have spoken out regarding this matter to Dublin City Council.” from an email to ICABS, April 2014.

Cllr Ciaran O’Moore (Sinn Fein, Dublin City Council)
“Yes I would like a ban on all blood sports” from a text message to ICABS, November 2014.

Cllr Cieran Perry (Independent, Dublin City Council)
“I believe that the netting and coursing of wild hares is a cruel and barbaric practice that has no place in the Ireland of today. Despite the introduction of muzzling, which coursing enthusiasts reassured the public would remove the “kill” element of this so-called sport, it is clear that the coursing fraternity cannot be trusted to police their own events. It is surely now time to consign this cruel and shameful practice to the dustbin of history once and for all”. From a statement issued on 03 February, 2011.

In October 2010, Cieran Perry succeeded in getting a motion passed in Dublin City Council to ban the import and sale of real fur, in the jurisdiction of Dublin City.

Cllr Noeleen Reilly (Independent, Dublin City Council)
“I support a ban on this outdated and cruel tradition [bloodsports] in Ireland. There is no enjoyment for the animal in this sport.” from a tweet to ICABS, October 2015.

On 25th July 2016, Cllr Reilly presented a successful motion which banned the use of wild animals in circuses in Dublin. Speaking after the council meeting, Cllr Reilly said: “I am delighted my motion was passed. This is a cruel outdated practice that holds no place in modern Ireland. Training and torturing animals to perform tricks for our entertainment in an unnatural environment is inhuman and degrading. Not only that but animals are chained or caged for up to 24 hours a day and are only let out to perform. I want to commend all the local Authorities who have passed similar motions to date and now call on the Minister to listen to what the councils are telling him and to ban this practice from the state immediately.”

Cllr Eilis Ryan (The Workers’ Party, Dublin City Council)
“Fully opposed to hare coursing.” from a tweet to ICABS, November 2015.

Cllr Sonya Stapleton (Independents 4 Change, Dublin City Council)
“I’m very much in favour of a ban on foxhunting and hare coursing. This cruelty has to be stopped and I would fully support such a proposal.” from a text message to ICABS, November 2014.

Other Green Party candidates

Cllr. Patrick Costello
Cllr. Claire Byrne
Sophie Nicoullaud
Caroline Conroy
Neasa Hourigan
Michael Pidgeon
Hazel Chu

Other People Before Profit candidates

Cllr. Hazel de Nortuín
Jo Tully
Bernard Mulvany
Peter Dooley
Gillian Brien
Annette Mooney

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 fur farming and End badger culling by traps, snares and shooting – http://www.pbp.ie/policies/animal-welfare-policy/

 

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

2019 Local Election Candidates and Animal Cruelty Issues – Donegal

The views of 2019 Local Election Candidates (Donegal) in relation to animal cruelty issues. Please support compassionate candidates and reject those who defend animal cruelty.

 

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 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.

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

Cyril Brennan (People Before Profit)
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 fur farming and End badger culling by traps, snares and shooting – http://www.pbp.ie/policies/animal-welfare-policy/

 

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

2019 Local Election Candidates and Animal Cruelty Issues – Cork County

The views of 2019 Local Election Candidates (Cork County) in relation to animal cruelty issues. Please support compassionate candidates and reject those who defend animal cruelty.

Cllr Alan Coleman (Independent, formerly Fianna Fail, 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 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 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.

Vanessa O’Sullivan (People Before Profit)
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 fur farming and End badger culling by traps, snares and shooting – http://www.pbp.ie/policies/animal-welfare-policy/

Karen Doyle (Independent4Change)

Catríona Reid (Green Party)
Alan O’Connor (Green Party)

Liam Quaide (Green Party)

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

2019 Local Election Candidates and Animal Cruelty Issues – Cork City

The views of 2019 Local Election Candidates (Cork City) in relation to animal cruelty issues. Please support compassionate candidates and reject those who defend animal cruelty.

 

Dan Boyle (Green Party Candidate)
“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.”

Ed Fitzgerald  (People Before Profit)
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 fur farming and End badger culling by traps, snares and shooting – http://www.pbp.ie/policies/animal-welfare-policy/

Shirley Griffin (Cork City Council candidate)
“[Me and my husband] both love and respect animals” – from an email to ICABS, May 2014.
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.

Tjitske de Vries (People Before Profit)
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 fur farming and End badger culling by traps, snares and shooting – http://www.pbp.ie/policies/animal-welfare-policy/

 

Oliver Moran (Green Party)

Mark Cronin (Green Party)

Lorna Bogue (Green Party)

Colette Finn (Green Party)

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