Animal rights protester alleges assault by circus employees

GARDAÍ are investigating claims that a 76-year-old Co Wexford woman was assaulted by circus staff.

The woman has lodged a formal complaint with the gardaí alleging she was assaulted by two male members of staff of a circus that is touring the South East.

Prominent animal protection worker Babs Mooney claims she was wrestled to the ground with her arm held behind her back, that she was kneed in the back, verbally threatened, and that her bicycle was damaged.

Gardaí in New Ross confirmed yesterday the elderly woman has made a formal complaint about the incident and it is now being investigated.

Speaking at her home at Ballycullane, Co Wexford, yesterday, Ms Mooney said the attack on her took place on Tuesday on the main New Ross/Wellington Bridge road when she was placing anti-circus flyers over posters advertising the circus.

“I was doing so to alert the public to the cruelty that performing circus animals are having to endure,” she said.

“Two men wrestled me to the ground, held my arm behind my back, kneed me in the pack, and then verbally threatened me.”

Ms Mooney said she immediately contacted the gardaí in New Ross and they quickly arrived at the scene.

“I later went to the garda station and made a full written complaint, detailing the entire assault incident,” she said.

When contacted yesterday, a garda spokesman in New Ross confirmed that Ms Mooney had made a formal complaint and a written statement. “The matter is now under investigation by us and at this stage we cannot comment further,” the spokesman added.

Ms. Mooney, who claims to be a qualified animal trainer, said the general public has no idea of the cruelty that circus animals have to endure.

“The environment they are in is all wrong. They belong in a sanctuary if not in the wild,” she said.

The circus could not be reached for comment last night.