Fox hunting with hounds has continued nationwide since the national level 5 lockdown was introduced on Christmas eve 2020.

Since 24/12/2020 Ireland has been in a nationwide level 5 lockdown, despite this we have had reports from sources across the country of hunters flouting these rules (such as this one over the weekend of a dog being attacked). This comes as no surprise to our volunteers whom know all to well the level of ignorance within the hunting community, however it is very important that this is dealt with immediately. With Covid19 cases currently in the thousands daily this has gone further than being an anti hunting issue, this is now also a human life issue.

The current rules state there can be no outdoor gatherings and no exercise outside of 5km of your home. There has been an exception given to rough shooters, however they too must stay within 5km of their homes. “Exercise” is a loaded word here, walking a dog on a lead for example would generally be a form of exercise. It is our understanding that running 20-30 hounds across someone’s back garden in order to murder a fox is not exercise, therefore should be dealt with accordingly.

Unfortunately the Gardaí are not dealing with this properly, using excuses such as “sure we can’t go checking who owns the land” or just blatantly not attending the scene until it is too late. We have received over 17 reports from members of the public of hunters breaking lockdown restrictions (keep in mind that’s only what we’ve been told, the true number is likely much greater).

Here is the list of areas where we can confirm have had hunting with hounds active since level 5 came into place:

26th December- Craanford, Gorey, County Wexford

26th December- Borrisoleigh, County Tipperary

26th December- Moyglass, Fethard, County Tipperary

26th December- Skibbereen, County Cork

27th December- Skibbereen, County Cork

28th December- Innishannon, County Cork

30th December- Ballymacaw, County Waterford

30th December- Knockaderry, County Limerick

30th December- Carrignavor, County Cork

1st January- Kilaminoge, Innishannon, County Cork

1st January- Skibbereen, County Cork

3rd January- Dunmore East, County Waterford

8th January- Between Killeagh, County Cork and Tallow, County Waterford

10th January- Ballinhassig, County Cork

17th January- Birchill, Drombane, County Tipperary

17th January- Baileborough, County Cavan

17th January- Ballyanchor, Lismore, County Waterford

Why is this acceptable? It is evident hunters have no problem breaking the rules, or more likely interpreting them to work in their favour. In years to come we will remember who made sacrifices and who ignored the rules to continue their pillage of Irish nature.