Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2026
1605. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cause and nature of a “severe” injury suffered by a hare on day two of Rathkeale and Limerick city coursing meeting on 23 November 2025 which resulted in the hare being euthanised by a coursing club vet. [55248/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1606. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason for the cancellation of Roscommon coursing meeting in December 2025 and if there was a "veterinary presence at the time that the hares were being boxed for release" as required by licence condition number 11. [55249/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1607. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if post mortems were performed on hares found dead at Borrisoleigh in December 2025; and if he will publish the results. [55250/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1608. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the results of post-mortems performed on hares found dead at a Gorey coursing meeting in October 2025 and on a hare who "died at release" at a Thurles coursing meeting in October 2025 and who was "sent to post-mortem by the NPWS officer". [55251/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1605, 1606, 1607 and 1608 together.
The Rathkeale and Limerick City coursing meeting was monitored by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) regional staff who have confirmed that one hare had to be put down by the vet as the femur was visible outside and not attached to the foot of the hare. The cause of the injury is not known.
The Roscommon meeting which was scheduled for December 30 and 31, was cancelled due to water-logging of key areas where the Club would have netted hares in the past. The 7 hares captured were released on 19 December 2025 and this release was monitored by NPWS regional staff.
A post mortem was carried out on one hare found dead at Borrisoleigh. The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders. The information requested in relation to the post-mortems for the Thurles and Gorey meetings is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
