The views of 2019 Local Election Candidates (South Dublin County) in relation to animal cruelty issues. Please support compassionate candidates and reject those who defend animal cruelty.
Aideen Carberry (Labour Party, Firhouse-Bohernabreena)
“Obviously against animal cruelty and blood sports. My cat will back me up on this, I love animals. :)” from a tweet to ICABS, May 2014.
Cllr Mick Duff (Labour Party, 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.
Cllr Francis Duffy (Green Party, South Dublin County Council)
“I am against cruelty to animals in all contexts. I would like to see higher standards of animal welfare in farming, harsher sentences for those who commit crimes against animals in a domestic context, and an end to the farming of animals for their fur. The law as it stands is wholly inadequate in dealing with crimes against animals and, if elected [as a TD], I would support any legislation that improves standards in animal welfare.” from an email to ICABS, October 2014.
Cllr Louise Dunne (Sinn Fein, 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.
Cllr Trevor Gilligan (Fianna Fail, 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 Sarah Holland (Sinn Fein, South Dublin County Council, Firhouse-Bohernabreena)
“Most definitely in favour of a ban” from a tweet to ICABS, September 2014.
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.
Cllr Ronan McMahon (Independent, 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.
Anne-Marie McNally (Social Democrats, Lucan)
“As the parent of a rescued Greyhound it is a topic very close to my heart. The Social Democrats strongly advocate animal rights, and recognise animals as intelligent, sentient beings capable of complex thought and of experiencing pain and suffering. As a guiding principle, we believe that the State should strive to ensure that animals live lives free of pain and discomfort in so far as that is possible, are strongly protected from cruelty, neglect and abandonment and live a “life worth living,” even within the context of food production.”
The Social Democrats are in favour of a ban on fox hunting, hare coursing and fur farming and want to see harsher penalties for animal cruelty. See the party’s full animal welfare policy at https://www.socialdemocrats.ie/our-policies/
Cllr Charlie O’Connor (Fianna Fail, South Dublin County Council, Tallaght Central)
“I took careful note of your concerns regarding hare coursing and please be assured of my interest in the matter. I am pursuing this issue on your behalf and I will do all I can to help.” Charlie O’Connor TD in a message to ICABS in July 2004.
In 2010, Charlie O’Connor TD voted in favour of the ban on carted deer hunting.
In 2005, foxes and mink were doomed to lives of misery on fur farms following the rejection by Dail Eireann of the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill 2004. The bill was defeated by 67 votes to 50. Charlie O’Connor was among the TDs who voted AGAINST the bill.
Liam Sinclair (Green Party, Tallaght Central)
“I oppose animal cruelty in all its forms. Hunting for sport and fur farming have no place in a civilised society. I will advocate for stricter laws and more severe punishments at every opportunity.” from an email to ICABS, 15 May 2019.
Cllr Francis Timmons (Independent, South Dublin County Council, Clondalkin)
“I fully support [an end to the licensing of hare coursing]. I am against coursing.” from an email to ICABS, August 2015.
Joanna Tuffy (Labour Party, 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
Other Green Party candidates
Peter Kavanagh (Green Party)
Suzanne McEneaney (Green Party)
David Morrison (Green Party)
Vanessa Mulhall (Green Party)
William Priestley (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
People Before Profit candidates
Cllr. Emma Hendrick
Cllr. Madeleine Johansson
Kevin Creagh
Kellie Marie Sweeney
Laura O’Reilly
John Flanagan
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 Social Democrats candidates
Sandra Ruiz (Social Democrats)
Marie Corr (Social Democrats)
Carly Bailey (Social Democrats)
Rob Hunter (Social Democrats)
Sharon Nolan (Social Democrats)
Owen Hanley (Social Democrats)
John Crowley (Social Democrats)
The Social Democrats are in favour of a ban on fox hunting, hare coursing and fur farming. 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/
Independents 4 Change candidates
David Moore (Independents 4 Change)
Cllr. Ruth Nolan (Independents 4 Change)
See the full list of South Dublin County candidates at
https://www.rte.ie/news/elections-2019/2019/0505/1047639-south-dublin-county-council/
Find out the views of candidates in other constituencies
https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2019/04/24/2019-election-and-animal-cruelty-issues
Find out the views of European election candidates
https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2019/03/26/european-election-candidates-and-animal-cruelty-issues/
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
Ban Bloodsports 
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