Gormley accused of ‘pandering to lobby groups’

ENVIRONMENT Minister John Gormley’s imminent ban on stag hunting is the first shot in a wider war on “rural traditions”, hunting enthusiasts have warned.

The Ward Union Hunt Club based in Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, broke its silence on the looming Government ban by attacking Mr Gormley for “pandering” to lobby groups.

The minister is set to refuse the 200-year-old club a licence to hunt stag following outrage at an incident in January when hounds chased a terrified deer into a Meath school playground, as children cowered in their classrooms.

Writing in today’s Irish Examiner, which broke news of the expected ban on Tuesday, the union’s Denis Walshe warned that other rural activities will be targeted by the minister next.

“Is the refusal to grant the Ward Union a licence just the thin edge of the wedge? And can all of us who enjoy rural sporting pursuits anticipate unwarranted interference in these bona fide sports from Minister Gormley, with the ultimate aim of banning them?

“The Ward Union Hunt Club are extremely unhappy with Minister Gormley’s decision, as the club has always co-operated with the various relevant government departments over the years, and has always permitted government veterinarians and officials access to monitor both our deer herd and our hunting. These officials have never over the years, seen fit to recommend that our licence be revoked on animal welfare grounds.”

Aideen Yourell of the Irish Council Against Blood Sports welcomed Mr Gormley’s expected action: “The Ward Union deer hunters are the grown-up version of the schoolyard bully. Releasing a defenceless, domesticated deer into the countryside and hounding it around for a couple of hours for ‘entertainment’ is nothing short of sadism.

“There have been incidents of a deer ‘accidentally choked on capture’, two deer which died of aneurisms, a deer which dropped dead after trying to jump an 8ft wall, a deer which died of fractured ribs and a deer which drowned.

“Other disturbing incidents recorded were a deer hanging by its front leg on barbed wire, a deer showing extreme physical distress with a lather of white foam around its muzzle and lameness in deer following hunts. These are undoubtedly just the tip of the iceberg as only a fraction of hunts are monitored during the season,” she said.