Calls to ban use of circus animals

A Cork City councillor is to call for a ban on the use of animals in circuses in the city — a ban which councillors voted to implement four years ago.

As a circus worker remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital after being crushed by an elephant, Mick Barry said it was a “disgrace” that a motion passed four years ago banning wild animals from circus performances in the city was “obstructed” by council officials and, in the end, was never implemented.

“Had it been implemented, the events of the last days might have been cut across,” the Socialist Party councillor said. “In the interests of public safety and animal welfare I will be raising this issue once again in the council in the immediate future.”