Hare licence approval is wet of Humphreys

I nominate the Minister for Arts and Heritage, Heather Humphreys, to undertake the ice-bucket challenge and get a drenching.

After all, she has poured cold water on the idea of Ireland becoming a civilised country, in terms of its treatment of its natural heritage, with her approval of the 2014/2015 live-hare coursing licence.

Hare coursing is unalloyed animal cruelty. It causes immeasurable suffering and death to thousands of Irish hares, as well as to greyhounds; and for what?

So that a morally diseased layer of Irish society can get its kicks from gambling on the outcome of a chase between a live hare and two greyhounds.

Ireland remains one of the few countries that still permit the live baiting of greyhounds.

Our nearest neighbours, the UK, have banned this activity and have effective legislation to curb any transgressions of the law.

Irish political life has yet to produce a minister who understands that live-hare coursing has no social merit, is anti-wildlife, and shreds Ireland’s reputation abroad.

Where is the political courage to refuse the application for this annual hare-abuse licence and to consign live-hare coursing to history? By renewing the hare-coursing licence, Minister Humphreys has passed up an opportunity to give direction on the Government’s policy in protecting animals and our natural heritage.

It is time to let the cold water flow over Minister Humphreys’ head.

At least, it will remind her that she has the political backbone of an ice cube.

John Tierney

Campaigns Director

Association of Hunt Saboteurs

PO Box 4734

Dublin 1