LETTER: Time now to repeal animal welfare law

SIR – The success of the Repeal the 8th campaign is a political neon sign blinking at politicians with the message that parking issues of national interest does not work. It becomes politically productive to grasp the thistle, endure the short-lived pain and be a catalyst for creating a political legacy.  

With the scent of political reform in their nostrils politicians should now tackle the issue of legalised cruelty. The existence of legal baiting and killing of wild animals for entertainment shows that Irish society is still handcuffed to a past decomposing within its midst. 

A tragic situation in a Galway hospital was the driver for politicians to take their finger out of the political dyke and act on the issue of female reproductive health. Will it take a fatal situation on the Irish hunting field for our politicians to finally consign bloodsports to history? 

Given the vicious nature of bloodsports and the easy use of violence can it be only be a matter of time before this human Rubicon is passed. Mortuary politics is not the way to legislate for a country’s moral standards. 

In Ireland it seems one has to die to create the catalyst for political reform. A high price fixed for eternity on a granite headstone.

Yours,

John Tierney,

Campaigns Director,

Association of Hunt

Saboteurs,

PO Box 4734, Dublin 1.