Ban coursing and protect endangered hare

While welcoming Minister Deenihan’s ban on the hunting of Kerry red deer and the curlew, I would urge him to go a step further, because this is the same minister who a few months ago issued a licence permitting the capture of thousands of hares for live coursing events.

The Irish hare, like the Kerry red deer, is a precious part of our wildlife heritage. It is, in fact, our longest established mammal, a sub-species unique to Ireland that has been around since the last Ice Age. This iconic creature has disappeared from many districts and has taken a major hit from loss of habitat resulting from modern agriculture and urbanisation. Ireland’s official Red Data Book on flora and fauna lists the Irish hare as a threatened species.

There is no excuse for the continued legality of hare coursing, a practice in which these gentle creatures are snatched from their habitats, and then terrorised for the pleasure of humans.

What have they ever done to deserve this? Instead of pandering to the coursing lobby, the politicians might for once do what is right as distinct from what is politically expedient and extend complete protection to the hare.

That may be a vain hope, given the nature of politics, but I believe the safeguarding of its place in our heritage and eco-system should take precedence over the “needs” of those who confuse organised cruelty to animals with sport

John Fitzgerald

Lower Coyne Street

Callan

Co Kilkenny