Animal rights activists to picket hare coursing event

Animal rights activists are planning a major protest in Co Tipperary today as the country's largest annual hare coursing event gets underway in Clonmel.

The Campaign for the Abolition of Cruel Sports says the demonstration will mark the first time in 12 years that pickets have been placed on the meeting.

The organisation wants the Government to ban live hare coursing as hares are still being mauled despite the muzzling of the dogs involved in the sport.

It also says hares are traumatised and frequently suffer injuries while they are being caught.