Spain's top court has overruled a local ban against bullfighting in the powerful north-eastern region of Catalonia, saying it goes against a national law protecting the spectacle.

The Irish Council Against Blood Sports has accused three Fine Gael MEPs of “turning a blind eye to the appalling cruelty of bullfighting”.

Animal welfare campaigners have welcomed a vote by the European Parliament against taxpayer subsidies being paid towards bullfighting.

The Irish Council Against Bloodsports is appealing to Irish holidaymakers to avoid bull fights when travelling this summer.