No justice in Limerick Court for Irish hunt saboteur after she became a target for Scarteen Hunt
Diane Keevans, a non-violent protester with Hunt Saboteurs Ireland (HSI), was given the Probation Act on Tuesday, 20th of April, in Kilmallock court in Limerick after she became a target for the Scarteen “Black & Tans” Hunt staff John Kearns, Jason Furlong and another hunt member back in November, 2019. John Kearns accused Diane of assaulting him with citronella spray while she was out disrupting the hunt between 10am-2pm on 23/11/19 in a field east of Scoil Iosagain, Castlefarm, Hospital, Co. Limerick.
Diane denied all accusations and fought her innocence in court avoiding a section two assault conviction, instead receiving the probation of offenders act 1907.
“With opposition on the rise against fox hunting in Ireland, the hunts are fearing their position and power in a changing landscape of people who recognise the significance of standing up for Irish wildlife and taking direct action.” - Hunt Saboteurs Ireland
Important points:
The Scarteen Hunt, or the self-nicknamed “Black & Tans”, have been protested by Hunt Saboteurs Ireland three times, and this is only the beginning. Two of the three reports: here and here.
On the same day as the alleged spraying attack, a masked hunter rammed his car into the vehicle of the second team of the hunt saboteurs while they were inside the vehicle. [source]
The hunt saboteur group was followed, jeered, and filmed by John Kearns, Jason Furlong and another Scarteen Hunt staff member for up to 1.5hrs. The hunt saboteurs were stalked through extremely waterlogged fields, high hedgerows and gates.
HSI’s hit-report at the time noted: “We can not be sure if kills were made on the day but at least one fox was seen to safety by the sabs. Yesterday showed exactly how much the hunt wants to keep us away from their bloodsport.” [Source]
“I am innocent and they are using cheap legal tactics to try to scare and stop us. We [Hunt Saboteurs Ireland] are a non-violent group, and we are protecting the foxes using methods that do not inflict harm on any living being” - Diane Keevans
Photo: Diane Keevans petting a hound used by the Roscommon Hunt. Taken by HSI on 13/11/19.
RED C
A recent RED C poll revealed that a massive 77% agree that the Irish government should BAN fox hunting. The opinion poll carried out in September 2019 found that just 12% disagree with a ban, while 11% said they don't know. [Source]
“I will continue to sabotage hunts and save foxes, there was one fox we saw to safety that very day in Limerick. I’d go through all of this again just to see that fox get away from the hunt again. Nothing will stop us from succeeding in banning fox hunting in Ireland, I am very confident in that.” - Diane Keevans
Hunt Saboteurs Ireland’s statement on the case:
"We categorically reject this moral and legal loss, however, it has not phased us in the slightest, with opposition on the rise against fox hunting in Ireland, the hunts are fearing their position and power in a changing landscape of people who recognise the significance of standing up for Irish wildlife and taking direct action. Diane is unequivocally innocent and didn't deserve to be so heavily targeted being such an innocent and peaceful woman. She's strong and will persevere, and as she alluded to in her statement, we will be targeting the Scarteen Hunt in the future. We want to thank Diane’s legal team, the Hunt Saboteurs Association in the UK and our generous supporters for giving us overwhelming support and for helping us to continue what we do."
Questions:
What is citronella spray?
Citronella spray is a few drops of citronella essential oil mixed with water and when sprayed on the ground it masks the scent of a fox, preventing foxhounds from following the scent and thus preventing any deaths at the hands of hunters. A simple yet effective tactic to sabotage hunts. Hunt saboteurs (sabs) are trained to never spray anyone, human or not, with this albeit harmless and sweet-smelling fluid.
Why do sabs wear balaclavas?
While balaclavas may look threatening and have violent associations, hunt saboteurs wear ski-masks and ‘buffs’ to protect their identities and families rather than commit crimes. Hunters in Ireland have already damaged saboteurs' cars, assaulted saboteurs with whips, stolen sabs’ property, verbally abused sabs and one hunter has already targeted a sab’s home, all since HSI’s founding in late 2019. Evidence of this can be found throughout HSI’s news section here, and social media. Full news archive here (all on one page).
What is hunt sabotage? Answer is here
Is HSI affiliated with any other animal or human rights organisations? No.
More about Hunt Saboteurs Ireland: here
HSI works directly in the Irish countryside to stop hunters from chasing, trapping, shooting and killing nonhuman animals. HSI uses proven non-violent tactics and strategies to help nonhuman animals escape, protect themselves and live their lives in peace. HSI believes hunting is immoral, barbaric, and belongs in Ireland’s past. HSI’s vision is an Ireland that respects nonhuman animals’ right to bodily autonomy. HSI is a legal, grassroots-level organisation that operates within Irish law.
The term “foxhunting” is commonly referred to as the pursuit of foxes by hunters riding horses who have trained a pack of hounds to chase and kill foxes. Fox hunting with hounds was invented by the British Empire in the sixteenth century and brought to Ireland during our occupation. Foxes have little protection from the law and this is something Hunt Sabs Ireland hopes to change by using direct action for Irish foxes, campaigning for their legal protection, and banning blood-sports entirely.
