TURLOUGH J. COFFEY,
Sir, - John Fitzgerald states (January 7th) "Ireland is the only country in Europe that still permits stag hunting".
This is incorrect. In France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the UK stags are hunted with hounds, while in Spain and Portugal, a similar sport is widely enjoyed. Hunting with hounds was banned by that well-known animal lover, Chancellor Adolf Hitler, in Germany and this is the only European country to ban stag-hunting with hounds.
Mr Fitzgerald also says: "It is the only field sport that has no conservation aspect whatsoever. While this is a revealing admission from one who is against all hunting, shooting and fishing, it is also incorrect. There is a thriving red deer population in the Boyne Valley and surrounding countryside descended from Ward Union stock. - Yours, etc.,
TURLOUGH J. COFFEY,
Spawell Road, Wexford.