Airlines praised for stance on bullfights

THE Irish Council Against Blood Sports commends Aer Lingus for recently removing a matador from an online graphic promoting flights to Europe.

We also applaud the editor of Ryanair’s inflight magazine for reaffirming a commitment to keeping bullfighting out of its widely-read pages.

The actions of our airlines greatly reduce the chances of holidaymakers contemplating visits to bullrings. Their uplifting attitude has prompted praise for Ireland from animal rights’ groups in France, Portugal, Spain, Venezuela and other countries where this vile blood sport continues.

This summer, we ask Irish holidaymakers to consider the suffering of bullring bulls and horses and to decide now to avoid visiting these torture venues. As well as being an admirable act of compassion, it will also ensure holiday memories are not marred by gruesome images of violence – spears being driven into flesh, blood streaming from wounds and the look of absolute terror in the eyes of animals as they drop to the ground in agony.

Philip Kiernan

Irish Council Against Blood Sports

Mullingar

Co Westmeath