The views of 2019 Local Election Candidates (Kildare) in relation to animal cruelty issues. Please support compassionate candidates and reject those who defend animal cruelty.
Cllr Anne Breen (Labour Party, Kildare County Council, Naas)
“I am very much against foxhunting and hare coursing…and would fully support your stance.” from a message to ICABS, May 2014.
Cllr Aoife Breslin (Labour Party, Kildare County Council, Athy)
“I can confirm that I am in favour of a ban on hare coursing and foxhunting.” from a text message to ICABS, February 2015.
Cllr Reada Cronin (Sinn Fein, Kildare County Council, Maynooth)
“I cannot understand why they’re called ‘sports’. I would support a ban on hare coursing and fox hunting.” from a tweet to ICABS, June 2015.
Samantha Kenny (Social Democrats – Athy)
“I wholeheartedly support a ban on fox hunting and hare coursing. They are totally unnecessary activities and cruelty for entertainment purposes is absolutely unacceptable. I also believe there is no need for fur farming with the numerous animal cruelty free alternatives we have on the market to replace the use of it.” 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/
Ashling Merriman (People Before Profit, Naas)
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/
Cllr Joe Neville (Fine Gael, Kildare County Council, Leixlip)
“Absolutely.” In response to an ICABS tweet – “We hope you favour a ban on foxhunting and hare coursing which are forms of cruelty to animals” (9th September 2014).
Cllr Thomas Redmond (Sinn Fein, Kildare County Council, Athy)
“I know where this [fur farm] site is and it’s harrowing. Sinn Feín recently asked the Minister how many of these foxes and mink had escaped – none were reported. The country side beside this farm in Laois is alive with mink”. From a tweet to ICABS, March 18 2018 https://twitter.com/Thomas_Redmond/status/975552297374769152
Cllr Redmond posed next to mounted members of the Fisherstown Farmers Hunt at a November 2013 fundraising event. “Thanks to Cllr Tomas Redmond for showing great support for the event,” the hunt stated on its Facebook page.
Cllr Darren Scully (Fine Gael, Kildare County Council, Naas)
“I am against all cruelty to animals, however what one person sees as cruel another sees as an acceptable part of life, many humans in this world are meat eaters and some would argue that it is cruel to kill cattle, deer, or rabbit to consume. I do not think it wrong or cruel to kill animals for consumption as long as it is done in a controlled manner monitored by the relevant state agency. I do think it is wrong to kill animals for sport, in this day and age we can still engage in sport without the need to take life intentionally. I am sure quite a few were not too pleased when the Romans did away with the gladiators.” from an email to ICABS, May 2014.
Cllr Brendan Young (Independent, Kildare County Council, Celbridge)
“I support your call [for a ban on hare coursing]. Please add my name to those calling for a ban.” from an email to ICABS, August 2015.
“In favour of a ban on hare coursing and fox hunting.” from a text message to ICABS, November 2014.
Green Party candidates
Vanessa Liston
Peter Hamilton
Eoin Hallissey
Colette Newman
Vincent P. Martin
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
Other Social Democrats candidates
Stephen Marken (Social Democrats)
Fionnuala Killeen (Social Democrats)
Aidan Farrelly (Social Democrats)
Chris Pender (Social Democrats)
Bill Clear (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/
See the full list of Kildare candidates at
https://www.rte.ie/news/elections-2019/2019/0505/1047632-kildare-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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