Pro-hunting protesters vow to put pressure on Fianna Fáil

PRO-HUNTING groups have promised a campaign of major protests aimed at pressurising rural Fianna Fáil TDs to block what they say are attempts by the Green Party to “attack the lifestyle of the ordinary people of the countryside”.

Up to 6,000 protesters took part in a demonstration at the weekend organised by RISE (Rural Ireland Says Enough) – outside the Green Party’s annual convention in Waterford.

They are opposed to plans by Green Party leader John Gormley to ban the Ward Union Stag Hunt and are concerned about the proposed Animal Health and Welfare Bill which was described as “a fella on a bike in Dublin telling you how to run a farm”.