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Saturday, 20th March 2010

Should fox hunting be allowed in Ireland

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Published Date: 26 November 2008
Dear Sir,
Looking at the photo of the carnival in Gowran, the people in fancy dress performing on horseback in the street in the November 14 edition of the paper, we could be excused for thinking it was the 'Yeo Dragoons' heading for Vinegar Hill again.
They, the hunt, were on the road all day. If they had asked permission I am sure they would have been allowed to hunt on the race course. But maybe the race course committee did not want them, or their damage, no more than us farmers. Do the fox hunt
people ever read the local papers? If they did they would see all the no hunting - lands preserved notices. These constitute 80% of landowners in the endangered areas. 56 farmers from Ballymack to Kilmaganny, 25 over Thomastown, the Bramblestown area, farmers in Kells, Mooncoin, North Kilkenny, Tullaroan, where men have been very badly treated, we have a video of hunt actions now available to RTÉ.
Also the hundreds of farmers who as groups or individuals, stud farms and landowners who do not want their livelihood vandalised and state so in the Kilkenny People at their own expense. Contrary to the fox hunt peoples' statement, they do not ask permission and even when we erect "No Fox Hunting" signs, the hunt people tear them down or alter them to read "Fox Hunting Here". The Gardai have been notified of this vandalism.
We farmers appeal even now to the hunt, to re-erect those signs with the original notice. Why do we farmers suffer the expense of giving the message that we do not want our barbed and electric fence wire cut, our fences destroyed, our crops and grass land poached , our livestock scattered and injured and at times killed. All contrary to EU reps and TB eradication and road safety requirements. Thus putting farm income payments at risk.
We "Farmers Against Fox Hunting and Trespass" are appealing to government to ban fox hunting in the interest of good and healthy farming and in the country's interest, as in the UK, spare us farmers this vandalism. Then the hunt people could operate drag hunts (a pre-laid scent) confined to their own land area sparing us commercial farmers all this arrogance, abuse and damage.
Yo Charlie, I will say the photo will still be as good with drag hunting.
But you might get a cheer in the meadows, remember do not follow the fox into farm land without permission, you will be putting your dogs at risk of a reaction. Drag hunting only, will make happy farmers, but we croppies will not lie down.

Yours etc.,
Philip P Lynch
Chairman F.A.F.T.
Gleann an Ri
Mallardstown,
Callan,
Co. Kilkenny



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  • Last Updated: 26 November 2008 3:01 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Kilkenny City
 
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MaxP,

Kilkenny 27/11/2008 16:46:46
Whilst I have the greatest sympathy for Mr Philip Lynch, I do not think that the misbehaviour of one hunt should lead to the banning of fox hunting.

I too would be angry with the hunt trespassing on my property, especially if they did not make good what they damage; but rather than ban the whole sport why not prosecute the Hunt Master & other officials of the relevant hunt. I am sure that these upstanding members of the community would start to make sure that repairs, where relevant, are carried out and that land that has been declared as off-limits to the hunt would be adhered to, rather than end up in court.

I do not hunt but I do shoot, and it is my responsibility to get permission from the people on whose lands I shoot. I would not expect shooting to be banned if I was caught shooting on someone else’s land without permission, I personally would expect to get prosecuted for trespass.

The problem here is the Garda Síochána’s lackadaisical implementation of the law, not the sport of hunting.
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ICABS,

Ireland 27/11/2008 17:14:04
You can witness the appalling cruelty of foxhunting by clicking on "Videos" on the Irish Council Against Blood Sports website at http://www.banbloodsports.com

Also available to view is a "Landowners and Hunts" presentation which conveys the trouble experienced by farmers when hunts encroach on to their property.
3

patie,

Galway 27/11/2008 17:49:10
When you live in the country and see the killing and maiming foxes do to sheep and lambs you understand that they must be controlled.Fox hunting should not be banned, many jobs would be lost both directly and indirectly.
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Sean Sean,

Tipperary 27/11/2008 19:16:34
Yes, thats exactly what this country needs! More job losses! Great idea! If you don't want hunting on your land thats entirely your prerogative.. However, there are plenty of landowners who do support it and welcome hunting.
5

,

27/11/2008 19:29:31
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
6

Growafreakingsoulyoupeople,

Dublin 27/11/2008 19:46:09
Patie from Galway,

When you live in villages, towns, cities, countries, continents, THE WORLD, and you see the killing and maiming human beings do to other human beings and dolphins and bears and wolves and whales and lions and monkeys and dogs and cats and mice and chickens and hens and minx and FOXES and pigs and cows and apes gorillas and rhinos and leopards and elephants and rabbits and frogs and lambs and sheep etc., you understand that they must be controlled. Must they? Is the human species being controlled in any way? What makes you think that because YOU've got opposable thumbs you stopped using the primitive cortex? By the way, humans DO still function with their primitive cortex just like FOXES and and dolphins and bears and wolves and whales and lions and monkeys and dogs and cats and mice and chickens...
STOP HUNTING ANIMALS. Oh you would lose your job? Well then GET ANOTHER ONE that doesn't involve the slaughtering of defenseless and innocent creatures. You know, the kind of jobs that the REST OF US HAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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augie,

South Dakota 27/11/2008 21:35:17
Absolutely,fox hunting should be banned. Foxes should not be run down to exhaustion by dogs and men on horses. This is cruel!
8

,

27/11/2008 22:07:46
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
9

lilly c/celticpitbulls,

dublin 28/11/2008 02:15:12
any person who can hurt any animal or allow any animal to be purposely hurt are sick and twisted people and are capable of anything stop the cruelty ..
10

Alan_D,

Mullingar 28/11/2008 02:28:11
Since hunting is based on aristocratic culture, it's ironic to dismiss a hunting ban as 'following the Brits'. If it's not about the fox, then there shouldn't be any problem about a ban, no?
If you are indeed concerned about controlling populations though, the hunting groups would serve society far better by hunting rats in the cities. You wouldn't even need the expense of horses. Perhaps you could take your children along, to show them how responsible citizens take charge of pests.

As for hyperbole and absurdity, reducing the speed limit to 20Kph would indeed save many animals - and children as well. We don't do that, because we know there is a difference between deliberate and accidental maiming/killing.

To say that the fox is 'of no consequence' to the debate is just as cynical as it was when Descartes claimed that mankind was special (with his pineal gland/soul) but animals were simply machines that couldn't feel pain or fear. So the clever scientists of the enlightenment cut them open while they were alive and mocked those who winced. When all you have is supreme rationality and abstract logic, you can justify anything. There is no limit. This is the 'enlightened' world we have inherited.

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