Sir, - I note from your edition of January 27th that extremist animal rights activists recently travelled from Birmingham armed with balaclavas, sticks and cudgels - all of which were confiscated by the gardai - obviously intending to protest in a violent manner against the Waterford Harriers Hunt on January 26th. This can only be seen as a most disturbing development.
The fact that Irish animal rights activists are prepared to invite armed UK militants to disrupt unlawfully members of Ireland's hunting community for engaging in a legitimate activity, clearly indicates that the anti hunting lobby are desperate to impose their agenda on Irish society. Given that Ireland's animal-rights activists are forced to import UK militants, readers should come to one glaringly obvious conclusion - namely, that the "antis" level of support among the general public is non-existent. The National Association of Regional Game Councils hope that this is the last occasion that such people will interfere with the legal rights of the Irish hunting community. - Yours, etc.,
National public relations officer,
National Association of Regional Game Councils,
Sandford Road,
Ranelagh, Dublin 6.