Sir, - The Bill to ban greyhound coursing is coming before the Dáil this week. As someone who was born into the greyhound industry (my family won the coursing derby and I was fortunate enough to win the greyhound track derby among other classics) and one who had a lifetime interest in all field sports, I have always previously enjoyed the coursing. Times and circumstances change, however.
Not before time, I feel I should row in behind the hare at this point. It is painfully obvious to anyone living in the countryside that the number of hares found now is significantly reduced.
Despite all the regulations behind the coursing industry, and it is well regulated, I don’t think it can be allowed to continue. It is certainly not in the best interest of the hares, which all coursing folk profess to love. We can be better.
– Yours, etc,
RM Block
GERARD KERVICK,
Bruff,
Limerick.
Sir, - TD Shay Brennan says he’s frustrated at the party whip being applied on the matter of the hare coursing ban Bill (“Fianna Fáil TD says it is ‘frustrating’ to be whipped into voting down hare coursing Bill”, Politics, July 3rd).
Why is Taoiseach Micheál Martin so insistent on allowing such a cruel activity to continue?
Brennan and the “growing number of TDs” who find the idea of hare coursing repugnant should vote with their conscience and disregard the party whip and the instructions of their “leader”, who seems more out of touch with his fellow elected party members each day.
The number of people who will be discommoded by a hare coursing ban is minuscule. Brennan and his colleagues would be doing the decent thing in voting for the ban on this cruel activity against harmless creatures.
– Yours, etc.
DAVID DORAN,
Bagenalstown,
Co Carlow.
