Protesters at Bantry circus

A SMALL protest took place outside the Circus Gerbola venue in Bantry last Monday night.

The protest was organised by general election candidate and campaigner Fiona O’Leary, who claimed that live animals are part of the circus act.

Fiona said she had been informed by the Bantry office of Cork County Council that the circus had met the Council’s criteria ‘with regard to insurance’ but that concerns regarding live animals should be directed at the County Veterinary Department.

‘In some jurisdictions, live animals are no longer permitted in circus acts,’ said Fiona. She claimed that while protesting in Bantry, the group saw a camel at the rear of the site, with a rope tethered around its neck.

‘This circus also uses a cat in its act, but the cat is currently performing at another show in the Netherlands,’ she added. When contacted by The Southern Star a spokesperson for Circus Gerbola said they had ‘no comment’ to make.