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Sinn Fein urged to support ban on cruel bloodsports
16 June 2015
ICABS is calling on Sinn Fein to support a ban on cruel hare coursing by reinstating its previous anti-coursing policy. In the past, Sinn Fein has strongly opposed the bloodsport but in 2010 reversed this, despite many within the party being firmly against coursing.
Please join us in urging the party to change its stance and back a ban on coursing, foxhunting and all bloodsports.
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Urge Sinn Fein to back a ban on hare coursing and foxhunting, in line with the majority view that these cruel activities must be outlawed.
Email: admin@sinnfein.ie
Tel: (353) 1 8726100 / 8726932
OR 02890 347350
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SAMPLE LETTER
(If you have time, please compose your own personal letter. Otherwise, feel free to send the short sample letter below. Be assertive, but polite, in all correspondence. Thank you.)
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Dear Sinn Fein,
I am one of the majority of Irish citizens who want hare coursing and foxhunting outlawed. I urge your party to back a ban on this deplorable animal cruelty. Yours sincerely, [Name/Location] |
Sinn Fein politicians and bloodsports
Sinn Fein TDs
Michael Colreavy, TD (Sinn Fein, Sligo Leitrim North):
"Many argue that it is not necessary to kill an animal to create an overcoat and that it is not necessary to put hares under stress or at serious risk of death or injury for sporting purposes. I am not sure a review group can present a mathematical equation to show whether the practices are right or wrong; it is a moral question." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (Continued), 22 November 2012
Sean Crowe, TD (Sinn Fein, Dublin South West):
"I find [blood 'sports'] to be a loathsome practice and the argument that they are in some manner a necessary part of traditional, rural life insulting to the intelligence. I would be delighted to support any and all legislation, which restricts, or bans these 'sports'."
Pearse Doherty, TD (Sinn Fein, Donegal South West):
"This government is allocating 76 euro million to the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund while giving less than that, 64 million euro, to the Drugs Initiatives and Young People's Facilities Fund. This is unacceptable. If the government were to re-allocate tax payers money out of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund then resources for the Drugs Initiatives and Young People's Facilities Fund under Budget 2008 could be more than doubled." (Donegal Sinn Fein Senator Pearse Doherty in a Donegal News report highlighting how the county's drugs squad has been left with just one part-time officer - February 1st, 2008)
Martin Ferris, TD (Sinn Fein, Kerry North Limerick West):
"Some people are straightforwardly opposed to racing and coursing of greyhounds. It is not a position I or my party share..." Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage, Dail Eireann, September 19th, 2012. Watch on Youtube
Sandra McLellan TD (Sinn Fein, Cork East):
"Sinn Fein welcomes the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012. It makes perfect sense to extend the current hunting licence provisions in the Wildlife Act 2010 that allow a hunter in possession of a firearm certificate to shoot wild birds and hares during the open season." Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second and Subsequent Stages, 18 July 2012 Watch on Youtube
"I acknowledge the contribution made by the vast majority of those involved in greyhound racing and coursing to the sporting and cultural landscape in Ireland, and in rural Ireland in particular, and to the welfare of dogs." From a Dail debate on the Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2011, 30 June 2011
Caoimhghin O Caolain, TD (Sinn Fein, Cavan Monaghan):
"I am totally opposed to live hare coursing."
Aengus O Snodaigh, TD (Sinn Fein, Dublin South Central):
On 24th March 2009, Aengus O Snodaigh, TD asked the Minister for Agriculture "if in the context of his responsibility for animal welfare and the legal protection of animals from cruelty, he will introduce legislation banning all blood sports including hare coursing and fox hunting". On 10th March, 2009, he asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government "if he will introduce legislation banning all blood sports including hare coursing and fox hunting".
Brian Stanley, TD (Sinn Fein, Laoighis Offaly):
On 21 March 2012, Brian Stanley, TD asked the Minister for Agriculture "if minks, cats and racing horses will be included in the upcoming Animal Welfare Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter." Read the full Dail Question and Answer.
Sinn Fein councillors
Cllr Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein, Dublin City Council)
In 2010, Chris Andrews TD voted in favour of the ban on carted deer hunting.
Cllr Janice Boylan (Sinn Fein, Dublin City Council)
"My personal stance is yes, I would favour a ban on this animal cruelty [hare coursing and foxhunting]." from a tweet to ICABS, October 2014.
Cllr Damien Brady (Sinn Fein, Cavan County Council):
"Fine Gael Cllr Peter McVitty and Sinn Fein Cllr Damien Brady from Cavan voiced their support for the [pro-blood sports Rise] campaign." (Leitrim Observer, May 24, 2010).
Cllr John Brady (Sinn Fein, Wicklow County Council)
"As an animal lover and someone that works continuously on animal welfare issues, I totally oppose all forms of 'blood sports' I think the practice of killing or maiming animals for someone's enjoyment is wrong and should not be even considered as a sport." from an email to ICABS, June 2015.
Cllr Breda Brennan (Sinn Fein, Waterford City and County Council)
"I personally am against blood sports and animal cruelty of any kind." from an email to ICABS, June 2015.
Cllr Cathleen Carney Boud (Sinn Fein, Dublin City Council)
"Yes I am in favour of a ban on blood sports" from a text message to ICABS, June 2015.
Cllr Colm Carthy (Sinn Fein, Monaghan County Council)
"I am opposed to hare coursing. I would like to see a ban on all blood sports." from an email to ICABS, June 2015.
Cllr Sorca Clarke (Sinn Fein, Westmeath County Council)
"I would support a ban on blood sports, completely against any form of animal cruelty." from a tweet to ICABS, June 2015.
Cllr Sean Conlon (Sinn Fein, Monaghan County Council)
In 2012, Cllr Conlon proposed a motion in support of a ban on circuses that involve the degradation and abuse of wild animals. The motion was successfully passed at a meeting of Monaghan County Council.
"Continued use in a modern compassionate society of wild animals in circuses should be a thing of the past." Cllr Sean Conlon, 5th September 2012.
Cllr Rose Conway-Walsh (Sinn Fein, Mayo County Council)
"Yes [add me to the list of Sinn Fein politicians in favour of a ban on bloodsports]" from a tweet to ICABS, June 2015.
Cllr Reada Cronin (Sinn Fein, Kildare County Council)
"I cannot understand why they're called 'sports'. I would support a ban on hare coursing and fox hunting." from a tweet to ICABS, June 2015.
Cllr Stephen Cunningham (Sinn Fein, Cork City Council)
"I would like to confirm that I am against blood sports including hare coursing and fox hunting." from a text message to ICABS, November 2014.
Cllr Chris Curran (Sinn Fein, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
"No brainer! Cruelty against Animals in such form is wrong" in response to an ICABS tweet asking "Cllr Curran - What is your stance on animal cruelty? Are you in favour of a ban on cruel hare coursing and foxhunting?" In November 2014, he voted against a council motion which described urban foxes as a "problem" and which called for action to be taken to deal with them.
Cllr Ide Cussen (Sinn Fein, Kildare County Council)
"I deplore all abuse of animals and cruelty to animals." from an email to ICABS, June 2015.
Cllr Una Darcy (Sinn Fein, Westmeath County Council)
"Sinn Fein is opposed to cruelty to animals and supported the Animal Welfare Act in its passage through the Oireachtas." from a email to ICABS, May 2014. ICABS has highlighted to Una Darcy that Sinn Fein is currently in favour of cruel hare coursing.
Cllr Maire Devine (Sinn Fein, South Dublin County Council)
"Tá [add me to the list of Sinn Fein politicians in favour of a ban on bloodsports]" from a tweet to ICABS, June 2015.
Cllr Gary Doherty (Sinn Fein, Donegal County Council)
"I am opposed to any form of blood sports and any activity which perpetuates undue and inhumane cruelty to animals." from a text message to ICABS, June 2015.
Cllr Liam Doherty (Sinn Fein, Donegal County Council)
"I am in favour of a ban on hare coursing and foxhunting with dogs but I [believe] that the fox population needs to be controlled in some way preferably by shooting them which I think is the most humane way." from a text message to ICABS, February 2015.
Cllr Paul Donnelly (Sinn Fein, Fingal County Council)
"I am opposed to blood "sports" and I find that term offensive. I would fully support a ban on these activities." from an email to ICABS, June 2015.
Cllr Daithí Doolan (Sinn Fein, Dublin City Council)
"Blood ‘sports’ are unacceptable & indefensible. I have been against blood ‘sports’ since I was a child. They always struck me as being terribly terribly cruel! I wish you well in campaigning to get them banned. Adh mór." from a message posted on ICABS blog, June 2015.
Cllr David Dunne (Sinn Fein, Tipperary County Council)
"Sorry I do not agree with you stance on this matter" from an email to ICABS, 12th September 2014.
Cllr Louise Dunne (Sinn Fein, South Dublin County Council)
"I would be happy to support a motion [in favour of a ban on bloodsports]." from an email to ICABS, September 2014.
Cllr Brendan Ferron (Sinn Fein, South Dublin County Council)
"I am totally opposed to blood 'sports' including hare coursing and hunting and would support a ban." from a tweet to ICABS, November 2014.
Cllr Kathleen Funchion (Sinn Fein, Kilkenny County Council)
"I think like most people, I deplore the abuse of animals and cruelty to animals. It is something that is quite a passionate issue for many of our members locally and I think of it as an issue which deserves more airtime in our national and local discourse. Sinn Fein has opposed all bloodsports in Ireland and some of our members even went as far as stopping a hunt in Westmeath several years ago. Their position filled me with great pride and I have always tried my best to remain consistent in that view. A big issue in Kilkenny in the mistreatment of horses on the roads by some members of the community. That situation is abhorrent and can not continue. Should I be elected to Kilkenny County Council, it would be a great disappointment to me if the issue of animal welfare locally was still as prominent an issue at the end of the council term. I have always considered it an idea to create a register of animal abusers to make it more difficult for offenders to continue to own animals. I know that would only be the start of tackling the wider problem." from an email to ICABS, May 2014.
Cllr Jennifer Green (Sinn Fein, Louth County Council)
"I'm against the consumption of any type of animal, blood sports or animal cruelty." from an email to ICABS, June 2015.
Cllr Thomas Healy (Sinn Fein, Sligo County Council)
"I am against all forms of cruelty to animals." from a tweet to ICABS, April 2014.
Cllr John Hearne (Sinn Fein, Waterford City and County Council)
"I'm against all forms of animal cruelty. I banned with a motion all circus animals from council property and I'm in the process of passing a by-law to ban sulky racing off the roads...I voted against [a pro-coursing motion]. I believe if people want to entertain themselves it should not involve stressing animals." from an email to ICABS, April 2014.
Cllr Sarah Holland (Sinn Fein, South Dublin County Council)
"Most definitely in favour of a ban" from a tweet to ICABS, September 2014.
Cllr David Kennedy (Sinn Fein, Kilkenny County Council)
"I am against any kind of cruelty to animals. That includes live hare coursing and fox hunting" from a text message to ICABS, July 2015.
Cllr Martin Kenny (Sinn Fein, Leitrim County Council)
At a June 2010 meeting of Leitrim County Council, Cllr Kenny presented a motion in support of pro-bloodsports group, RISE: "I propose that Leitrim County Council notes the increasing level of popular support being expressed for the RISE (Rural Ireland Says Enough) campaign and shares the concerns it is highlighting, over legislation currently being proposed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley TD. This Council calls on the Government to listen to the concerns being expressed by those who engage in hunting..." The minutes of the meeting detail that Councillor Kenny claimed he is totally against cruelty to animals but that he went on to express opposition to legislation "if activities such as pheasant shooting, activities of the South Leitrim Harriers etc are curtailed or prevented."
Cllr Nicola Lawless (Sinn Fein, Wicklow County Council)
"Yes I would be in favour of a ban on cruel hare coursing and fox hunting. I am against animal cruelty." from a tweet to ICABS, May 2014.
Cllr Kieran McCarthy (Sinn Fein, Cork County Council)
"I'm against bloodsports and I'm a supporter of well known Cobh animal rights group, ARK." from a text message to ICABS, April 2014.
Cllr Mike McKee (Sinn Fein, Clare County Council)
"Always was and always will be in favour of a complete ban [on hare coursing and fox hunting]." from a text message to ICABS, November 2014.
Cllr Michael Mulligan (Sinn Fein, Roscommon County Council)
"With you all the way - total ban on bloodsports." from a comment left on the ICABS Facebook page, May 2014.
Cllr Aidan Mullins (Sinn Fein, Laois County Council)
"Personally I am against fox hunting and hare coursing." from an email to ICABS, May 2014.
Cllr Emma Murphy (Sinn Fein, Dublin City Council)
"I'm 100% against animal cruelty in any form & would support a ban on blood sports." from a tweet to ICABS, October 2014.
Cllr Criona Ni Dhalaigh (Sinn Fein, Dublin City Council)
"I am against any form of animal cruelty and abhor foxhunting and hare coursing." from a text message to ICABS, May 2014.
Cllr Daire Ní Laoi (Sinn Fein, Fingal County Council)
"I am totally opposed to blood sports & very much in favour of a ban on hare coursing and foxhunting." from a tweet to ICABS, November 2014.
Cllr Sorcha Nic Cormaic (Sinn Fein, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council)
In November 2014, she voted against a council motion which described urban foxes as a "problem" and which called for action to be taken to deal with them.
Cllr Shane O'Brien (Sinn Fein, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)
In November 2014, he voted against a council motion which described urban foxes as a "problem" and which called for action to be taken to deal with them.
Cllr Séighin Ó Ceallaigh (Sinn Fein, Limerick City and County Council)
"I am against any form of animal cruelty, that leads to the suffering of animals." from a tweet to ICABS, September 2014.
Cllr Cathal O'Conchúir (Sinn Fein, Galway City Council)
"I am totally opposed to hunting of animals for sport." from a text message to ICABS, June 2015.
Cllr Ciaran O'Moore (Sinn Fein, Dublin City Council)
"Yes I would like a ban on all blood sports" from a text message to ICABS, November 2014.
Cllr Gerry O'Neill (Sinn Fein, Wicklow County Council)
"I am totally against both hare coursing and foxhunting. However foxhunting should not be confused with drag hunting which I have no problem with." from an email to ICABS, July 2015.
Cllr Melissa O'Neill (Sinn Fein, Kilkenny County Council)
"I am against any form of animal cruelty and would welcome and support this ban [on foxhunting and hare coursing]." from a text message to ICABS, June 2015.
Cllr Martin O'Reilly (Sinn Fein, Offaly County Council)
"I am opposed to hare coursing and fox hunting." in a call to ICABS, February 2015
Cllr Malachy Quinn (Sinn Fein, Fingal County Council)
"I am in favour [of a ban on hare coursing and fox hunting]." from a text message to ICABS, November 2014.
Cllr Thomas Redmond (Sinn Fein, Kildare County Council)
Cllr Redmond posed next to mounted members of the Fisherstown Farmers Hunt at a November 2013 fundraising event. "Thanks to Cllr Tomas Redmond for showing great support for the event," the hunt stated on its Facebook page.
Cllr Noeleen Reilly (Sinn Fein, Dublin City Council)
"I support a ban on this outdated and cruel tradition in Ireland. There is no enjoyment for the animal in this sport." from a tweet to ICABS, October 2015.
Cllr Therese Ruane (Sinn Fein, Mayo County Council)
"I am totally opposed to blood sports and to animal cruelty of any kind." from an email to ICABS, June 2015.
Cllr Lisa Marie Sheehy (Sinn Fein, Limerick City and County Council)
"I am in favour of any ban on animal cruelty that does not treat innocent animals with respect" from a tweet to ICABS, September 2014.
Cllr Natalie Treacy (Sinn Fein, Fingal County Council)
"I am against any form of animal cruelty, and would be in total favour of a ban on bloodsports." from a message posted on ICABS blog, June 2015.
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