Legislation banning hare coursing has been introduced in the Dáil which would see participants fined €1,000 and facing up to six months in prison. Introducing the Animal Health and Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill, Rise TD Paul Murphy said Ireland is one of only three EU member states that have not banned coursing, which is already prohibited in Northern Ireland and Britain. It is the third time anti-hare coursing legislation has been introduced in the Dáil. In opposition, the Greens had supported a previous unsuccessful Bill to ban coursing. The party believes coursing should be regulated and that a ban would drive it underground.

Source: The Irish Times September 16, 2020 17:48 UTC