Protesters to picket coursing festival

THOUSANDS of hare coursing fans are due to descend on Tipperary for the annual three-day national championships.

The 83rd running of the National Coursing Meeting takes place at Powerstown Park, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, from today.

Organisers hope the festival, which attracts supporters from Britain, continental Europe and the US, will generate up to €16 million for the local economy.