Alarm after hunt ban vote passed in Ireland
TUESDAY night’s Dail vote to ban stag hunting in Ireland after the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010 was passed by 75-72 votes, could have wider implications for the Irish racing community.
The proposal to introduce legislation to prohibit the practice of deer hunting with a pack of dogs was brought forward by Green Party leader John Gormley, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
Since Gormley became minister in 2007, he has expressed animal welfare and public safety concerns on several occasions.
The future of the Ward Union Hunt is under threat and last February leading figures from racing gathered to hunt with the Ward Union to show their support for Rural Ireland Says Enough (Rise), the campaign group to fight for rural sports and pastimes.
Among those in attendance were jump jockeys Ruby Walsh, Paul Carberry and Davy Russell, with Kevin Manning and Declan McDonogh also showing their support, along with trainers Tony Martin and Gordon Elliott.
