“Congratulations to all who made the National Coursing Meeting another great success ,” Mattie McGrath
Independent TD Mattie McGrath has congratulated all those who took part or attended the National Coursing Meeting in Clonmel over the weekend. Deputy McGrath was speaking on the last day of the hugely popular sporting event which draws thousands of visitors from the UK and further afield:
“Once again the National Coursing Meeting in Clonmel has been a great success and it has brought in significant amounts of revenue estimated at about €6 million for Clonmel and the region:
There was a great atmosphere at the event and attempts of those opposed to this rural practice did nothing to dampen that spirit.
In Clonmel, Knockgraffon or Poulmucka, or wherever there is the responsible and regulated practice of this sport, the highest standards are employed by people dedicated to preserving the rural traditions they have grown up with.
It is a point that I know is continually lost on those opposed to this practice, that the very banning of the sport would almost certainly increase the threat to animal welfare.
We know that a significant and organised illegal slaughter of hares by lurcher dogs is continuing, and that they are guided by individuals who have absolutely no regard for animal welfare, rural peoples property or privacy or developing humane practices.
The Coursing industry by contrast is regulated by strict guidelines, which are rigidly adhered to. In this regard I would certainly share the belief that the systems in place to oversee coursing are effective, proportionate and are working well,” concluded Deputy McGrath.
