Fine Gael Junior Minister Shane McEntee has claimed repeatedly that "the hare is in no danger" in coursing, an activity that he and other government figures like Environment Minister Phil Hogan and Paudie Coffey continue to laud as a fine healthy sport for all the family etc
Brave opponents of the shameful practise of hare coursing have filmed maulings of hares at the February's "Irish Cup"coursing event in County Limerick.
This contradicts and exposes as utterly false the claims by senior government figures that cruelty has been eliminated from hare coursing. Minister Shane McEntee in particular has on numerous occasions stated his support for hare coursing and insisted that the hare cannot be harmed in the practise.
The two pieces of footage just released show a hare being mauled closed to the "escape" hatch on the coursing venue at the Co. Limerick racecourse and a hare that is mauled and then carried off the field by a dispatcher.
This strengthens the case for a ban on hare coursing, as sought by the sponsors of a Private Members Bill to be moved shortly in Dail Eireann.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md35mrElADM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etQ-JCtJy9Y