National coursing meeting draws protest

Up to 70 protesters attended a picket of the National Coursing meeting in Co Tipperary yesterday to voice their opposition to the sport at its biggest day of the year.

The protest, held on finals day of the three-day national meeting, took place outside the Powerstown Park venue in Clonmel and was organised by members of the Animal Rights Action Network (Aran) and the Irish Coalition Against Blood Sports (ICABS).

“We’re extremely heartened by today’s turnout, which is one of the highest we’ve had in recent years,” Aran spokesman John Carmody said afterwards.