Charges dropped against protester

An anti-fox hunt campaigner who staged a protest outside Loughrea Cathedral in Co Galway because he believed a

An anti-fox hunt campaigner who staged a protest outside Loughrea Cathedral in Co Galway because he believed a

hunt had been held on the local bishop's lands, had a conviction for loitering withdrawn by the DPP at Galway Circuit Court yesterday.

Mr Thomas Hardiman (48), from Craughwell, Co Galway, had been convicted of the offence and fined £150 at a District Court sitting last April. He appealed the conviction.

In court yesterday, a State solicitor, Mr Tom McLoughlin, said the DPP wished to withdraw the charge and return bail money to Mr Hardiman.