Madam, - "When a hunt blocks a road, it is all too easy to annoy passing motorists who may be under pressure of work. . . don't antagonise the motorists, they aren't having the fun that we are." This is the crass advice offered by an Irish Masters of Foxhunting Association spokesperson to the blood sport enthusiasts who routinely clog up roads around the country.
It is advice which is clearly being ignored. Motorists passing through hunt country continue to suffer delays and when roads are blocked by hunters, horses and hounds.
Road users also find themselves being exposed to danger. Among the many incidents documented by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports are hunters chasing a panting deer into oncoming traffic, and three car passengers injured after cows were chased on to a main road by a pack of foxhounds.
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports has called on gardaí to keep hunts off public roads. Motorists or pedestrians who experience inconvenience, delays or danger due to hunts are urged to report this promptly to the Garda. Hunts must be prevented from claiming roads as part of their playgrounds. - Yours, etc,
PHILIP KIERNAN, Irish Council Against Blood Sports, Mullingar, Co Westmeath.