The views of 2019 Local Election Candidates (Limerick) in relation to animal cruelty issues. Please support compassionate candidates and reject those who defend animal cruelty.
Cllr Daniel Butler (Fine Gael, Limerick City and County Council, Limerick City West)
In October 2014, Cllr Butler tabled a motion “to ban circuses with animals from performing on publicly-owned lands in Limerick”.
Cllr James Collins (Fianna Fail, Limerick City and County Council, Limerick City West)
“Grant for Limk Animal welfare…Worthy cause.” (from June 2013 tweet). ICABS asked Cllr Collins if he shares Limerick Animal Welfare’s opposition to cruel hare coursing. He did not reply.
Cllr Marian Hurley (Fine Gael, Limerick City and County Council, Limerick City East)
“Yes I am [in favour of a ban on fox hunting and hare coursing].” from a text message to ICABS, November 2014.
Cllr Joe Leddin (Labour Party, Limerick City and County Council, Limerick City West)
“Totally opposed to both [foxhunting and hare coursing]” from a text message to ICABS, May 2014.
Cllr John Loftus (Independent, Limerick City and County Council, Limerick City West)
“I find this practice [hare coursing] and foxhunting barbaric” Cllr John Loftus in an email to ICABS, June 2015.
“I personally campaigned to end blood sports in Scotland, for which we were successful. So I will fully support any motion put before the the council on this matter.” from an email to ICABS, September 2014.
Cllr Emmett O’Brien (Independent, Limerick City and County Council, Adare-Rathkeale)
“I’m not in favour of a full ban on hare coursing or fox hunting. I am in favour of it being regulated.” from a tweet to ICABS, September 2014.
“While I have some reservations about hare coursing I cannot support any ban in its current form. I disagree that it is barbaric and consider it a part of the rural community.” from an email to ICABS, November 2014.
Cllr Séighin Ó Ceallaigh (Sinn Fein, Limerick City and County Council, Limerick City East)
“I am against any form of animal cruelty, that leads to the suffering of animals.” from a tweet to ICABS, September 2014.
Cllr Elena Secas (Labour Party, Limerick City and County Council, Limerick City East)
“I think best way to lower incidences of animal cruelty & prevent it from happening is by highlighting it through the media. This will be a way of educating and explaining why certain practices are not acceptable in our modern and developed society.” from a tweet to ICABS, May 2014.
Cllr John Sheahan (Fine Gael, Limerick City and County Council, Newcastle West)
In October 2016 and October 2017, Cllr John Sheahan placed a “best wishes” advert in the booklet for Glin hare coursing meeting.
In October 2010, Cllr John Sheahan placed an advert in the Glin hare coursing meeting booklet. It stated: “Best wishes from John Sheahan, Local County Councillor”
In 2013, Cllr John Sheahan called for an “open season on the hen harrier” – one of Ireland’s rarest birds. The call was strongly condemned by the Irish Raptor Study Group who said “Cllr Sheahan’s call for an open season on Hen Harriers is highly irresponsible and can be interpreted as incitement to break both Irish and EU law. Hen Harriers are protected under Irish and EU legislation.”
BirdWatch Ireland also condemned “in the strongest terms” John Sheahan’s “highly irresponsible” comments. Group CEO Alan Lauder stated: “Cllr Sheahan’s ill-informed and short-sighted statement shows how far we have to travel as a state in prioritising our natural heritage over the self-interest of individuals.” He added: “Such statements can have far-reaching consequences. The Hen Harrier is protected under both Irish and European Union law, and Cllr. Sheahan’s statement could be viewed as an incitement to break these laws. For any decision-maker to hold such views in the 21st Century is alarming. When that individual actually sits on the Advisory Committee of the Environmental Protection Agency and also represents Ireland on an EU committee that helps form policy on the environment, natural resources and biodiversity, as Cllr. Sheahan does, then it becomes pitiful, and even dangerous.”
Theresa Storey (Green Party, Limerick, Adare-Rathkeale)
“I am completely against sport hunting, fox hunting, hare coursing, fur farming and other forms of animal cruelty.” (Email to ICABS, 21 May 2019).
Other Green Party candidates
Sean Hartigan (Green Party)
Brian Leddin (Green Party)
Breandán MacGabhann (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
Social Democrats candidates
Sarah-Jane Hennelly (Social Democrats)
Kieran Walsh (Social Democrats)
Elisa O’Donovan (Social Democrats)
Trevor McCarthy (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 Limerick candidates at
https://www.rte.ie/news/elections-2019/2019/0507/1048010-limerick-city-and-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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