Sir, – On the fringes of the weekend Green Party conference, a man had a stall at which people could sign a petition calling for a ban on hare coursing. Given that the party has an official policy of opposition to the blood sport it might be considered a foregone conclusion that most or all of the delegates would eagerly take the pen to add their signatures.
Not so. While many of the rank-and-file members signed, the Ministers and TDs brushed past.
We are now in another coursing season and each weekend hares that have been cruelly snatched from their homes are forced to run from hyped-up dogs. Reeling from the effects of climate change and habitat loss, this iconic creature must perform in hail, rain and snow for people who enjoy watching an animal in distress, fighting for its life. If the long-suffering hare can’t depend on the Green Party, once its loudest champion and cheer leader, then what chance does it have?
It’s no wonder the Greens are taking a hit in the opinion polls. I just hope the hare, as a species, isn’t facing a fate analogous to that looming for the Green Party at the next general election.
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– Yours, etc,
JOHN FITZGERALD,
Callan,
Co Kilkenny.