Minister unwilling to ban foxhunting despite protests

The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, has ruled out legislation on foxhunting, following renewed calls by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports. ICABS has demanded the introduction of legislation on foot of evidence presented to it by a supporter of the Galway Blazers Hunt.

Mr Tom Hardiman, a retired farmer from Craughwell, Co Galway, said he was so appalled and disgusted by the cruelty meted out to the fox that he had decided to go public.

The Irish Masters of Foxhounds Association dismissed Mr Hardiman's claims as a "cheap publicity stunt", and has questioned his motives. No complaint in relation to the claims had been received by the association, Mr James Norton, a spokesman, said.

Speaking at a press conference hosted by ICABS in Galway yesterday, Mr Hardiman presented photographs of the carcase of a fox, which he claimed had been taken after it had been finished off by terriers. He said the "digging out" of foxes at their dens should be stopped completely. "I agree with hunting, but only if the fox is given fair play," he said.

Mr Hardiman described a recent hunt in Knockbrack, Athenry, where he witnessed terrier men using hounds to corner and kill the fox.

Hunters on horseback did not generally witness such inhumane practices. A small group, including the huntsman, terriermen and whippers-in, are usually involved, he claimed. He said he heard a hunstman on one occasion shouting "break him up" with reference to tearing the fox apart.

Mr Hardiman said he had not been approached to talk publicly, but had decided to speak out himself. His first contact had been with the Galway Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, he said, and he subsequently contacted ICABS.

Ms Aideen Yourell, spokeswoman for ICABS, said the current code of conduct agreed with the organisations affiliated to the Irish Hunting Association was a "code of misconduct", and proved that legislation had to be introduced. The code did not prohibit digging out of foxes and the use of terriers to flush foxes from earths, she said.

A spokesman for the Minister said he was not disposed to banning foxhunting, and had stated this publicly, but was opposed to practices such as "earth-stopping", where an exhausted fox could not find a safe haven.

The code of conduct drawn up with the Irish Hunting Association was intended to govern the behaviour of hunts in relation to such practices. No complaint had been received by the department in relation to any breaches over the last season, the spokesman said, but it would be very happy to investigate such claims if lodged.

The Minister would take a "very serious view" of any breaches, the spokesman added.