Hunt Saboteurs fights for hunting ban in Ireland

THE Association of Hunt Saboteurs has called on the Government to follow the lead of the British parliament and legislate for a ban on hunting in Ireland.

The animal rights group said the British decision had galvanised its campaign to bring an end to fox hunting in this country.

“This gives us a greater incentive to continue our campaign, we honestly believe that hunting will be banned here,” said John Tierney, campaigns director of Hunt Saboteurs Ireland.

The group has been lobbying for over 10 years for an end to blood sports, which it says includes hare coursing and shooting.

In the interim, Hunt Saboteurs has proposed an alternative form of hunting, called drag hunting, where the hunt follows a scent but there is no kill.

“The hunting people in Ireland have consistently said ‘no way’, but drag hunting is the way forward,” Mr Tierney said.

There are five drag hunt groups in Ireland, including the Comeragh Mountains Drag Hunt in Waterford.

“Hunters say they are not interested in the killing, but see it as an equestrian sport, so if this group can do it, why can’t others?” he asked.

On Wednesday, pro-hunting protesters stormed the House of Commons in London to protest against the introduction of a ban on hunting in England and Wales.

Despite the protest, MPs backed the ban by 339 to 155 votes. The ban is not due to come into force until July 2006.

“We have won the hearts and minds of the people, it’s only through legislation that the ban will come in,” Mr Tierney said.

However, the Irish Masters of Foxhounds Association spokesman Brian Munn said a ban on hunting in Ireland is ‘not inevitable’.

“We’ve a very different attitude towards it here, compared to Britain,” he said.

“I think there’s a great deal more sanity here ... we don’t have a serious opposition to fox hunting.”

Mr Munn described as ‘illogical’ attempts to introduce drag hunting in place of fox hunting.

“We do not believe fox hunting is cruel, we believe it is a very necessary part of country life and sustains a very healthy fox population,” he said.