Hunt ban was not Green's downfall

Dear sir - Supporters of the cruel so-called 'sports' of stag hunting and hare coursing have been celebrating the Green Party's defeat in the general election, with insults and gloating remarks appearing with gusto on internet chat sites dedicated to promoting these activities. I would take issue with one repeated assertion on these sites to the effect that the Greens' opposition to blood sports contributed in a significant way to the loss of the party's six seats. The Greens suffered at the polls due to the impact of the government's economic policies and austerity measures, and its handling of the banking crisis. It had nothing to do with the banning of the Ward Union Hunt. Aside from the fact that every professional opinion poll ever conducted on either stag hunting or hare coursing has pointed to big majorities favouring abolition of these practices, I would remind blood sport fans that many of the newly elected independent TDs are in fact as implacably opposed to recreational cruelty as the Greens were. I have personally received assurances from them in writing to that effect. The Socialist Party has a clear commitment in its manifesto to ending blood sports, and the Labour Party that will almost certainly be in coalition with Fine Gael has publicly stated it will not support any reversal of the ban on stag hunting. The campaign against blood sports will continue, regardless of what parties dominate proceedings in the 31st Dail. Hares and foxes may have to endure a lot more suffering before legislation is enacted to end the sadistic savagery euphemistically known as 'country pursuits'. The cowards who terrorise them for fun have a clear advantage over them, because animals can't speak out, let alone vote. Nor can they defend themselves against man's inhumanity. But the fox and the hare will have their day, as surely as the stags of Meath no longer have to flee in terror from packs of slobbering hounds, frenzied hunt followers, and mounted riders dressed up in clown outfits. Yours, John Fitzgerald Campaign for the Abolition Of Cruel Sports Callan, Co Kilkenny.