Anti-blood sports activists have warned they plan to step up their protests by bringing in hunt saboteurs from the UK early in the New Year. The warning came as Irish hunt saboteurs claimed to have disrupted several hunts yesterday. However, these claims were not confirmed by the hunts or by gardai. No violence or injuries were reported.
Protesters from the Association of Hunt Saboteurs claimed to have disrupted the annual Fingal Harriers meet at Clonalvy, near Garristown, Co Dublin. A spokeswoman said the group used hunting horns to send conflicting signals to the hounds pursuing a hare.
However, the huntsman with the Fingal Harriers, Mr Paul O'Rourke, said the St Stephen's Day meet had proceeded as normal. There was no sign of protesters.
The association said it also monitored the Ward Union stag hunt in Ashbourne, Co Meath, but did not intervene. It added that protests had taken place at hunts in Inistioge, Co Kilkenny, and in Co Waterford.
The warning that English hunt saboteurs would be travelling to Ireland came from the Campaign for the Abolition of Cruel Sports. Its public relations officer claimed hunt saboteurs here had been beaten up and threatened with slashhooks in recent weeks and their cars had been damaged.
"This situation could take an even nastier turn when UK saboteurs arrive in large numbers in the New Year."
