Gabriel Byrne Urges TDs to Ban Hare Coursing

For Immediate Release:

30 June 2016

Contact:

Jennifer White +44 (0) 20 7837 6327, ext 222; [email protected]

John Carmondy +353872391646 ;  [email protected]

GABRIEL BYRNE URGES TDS TO BAN HARE COURSING

Coursing ‘Should Have No Place in Modern Ireland’, Writes Actor in Letter Sent Ahead of Today’s Vote

Dublin – With Dáil Éireann expected to vote later today on a Private Members Bill to ban hare coursing, legendary actor and director Gabriel Byrne has sent an urgent letter on behalf of PETA and Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) to Irish TDs calling on them to support the bid put forward by Independent TD Maureen O’Sullivan.

“It’s hard to imagine anything more barbaric than this so-called ‘sport'”, writes The Usual Suspects actor. “[F]rom the terrifying chase, during which hares have been known to rupture internal organs fleeing the hounds, to the moment the petrified and exhausted animals are surrounded … every minute of hare coursing reflects the hard-heartedness of the participants.”

Byrne concludes the letter by saying, “Coursing is an atrocity that should have no place in modern Ireland, which is why it should be banned”.

It’s been 23 years since the issue of banning hare coursing came before politicians in the Dáil, and since that time, countries around the world have taken decisive action to prohibit this blood sport. Ireland is now one of only three European countries in which hare coursing is still legal.

The full text of Byrne’s letter is available upon request.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.uk.

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