Hares treated properly 'all the time' at coursing meetings, says Healy Rae

The Irish Council Against Blood Sports released a statement saying it was “shameful” that the practice of hare coursing would be permitted to continue into next year. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Independent Kerry TD Michael Healy Rae has warned that if hare coursing is banned then horse racing and the meat industry would be next on “this slippery slope”.

Mr Healy Rae was commenting following criticism by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports of the decision by the Government to grant licences allowing coursing clubs to capture live hares for the winter season.