Athlone animal rights activist Ruairi Ó LeocháinAthlone man criticises recent Dáil vote against potential foxhunting banAthlone animal rights activist Ruairi Ó Leocháin has criticised the Government's attitude to animal welfare in the country, after the Dáil's recent rejection of a proposal to ban foxhunting with dogs. The poll was carried out among 1,037 adults aged 18 and over, and the results showed a large majority against the Dáil's vote. “During recent public discussions, politicians and hunt supporters pushed the narrative that foxhunting with dogs is a rural pursuit. Two in five voters, meanwhile, said that they are less likely to vote if legislation with strong public support is blocked or shut down. Rural communities do not stand for foxhunting with dogs, and they reject the suffering it inflicts on wildlife and the countryside alike.

Source: Irish Independent February 14, 2026 03:10 UTC