Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1993

Vol. 428 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hare Coursing.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

186 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice if any action has been taken in respect of the killing of 37 hares at the national coursing finals at Clonmel, County Tipperary in February 1992, following which the Irish Coursing Club reported that a post mortem carried out on the hares by the Irish Coursing Club showed a high level of worm infestation and coccidiosis, given that coursing of sick or injured hares is a contravention of licence condition number nine and an offence under the Wildlife Act, 1976.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

The issuing of licences for coursing events and the conditions pertaining to such licences is a matter for the Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works and the Garda authorities have no responsibility in the matter.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that they received a complaint of cruelty to animals arising out of the incident referred to by the Deputy. The complaint was the subject of a Garda investigation and a file on the matter was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions who directed that there should be no prosecution. The Director of Public Prosecutions is, of course, under statute independent in the performance of his functions and I have no role in regard thereto.