Independent TD Mattie McGrath has said that “thugs illegally hunting hares and rabbits are threatening to burn down farmers’ sheds”.

Deputy McGrath was responding to the recent call by the Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) for a ban on hare coursing to be put in place.

He explained: “Maurading gangs with lurchers and terriers that are threatening farmers is something that is never talked about.” He said that such crimes will “thrive” if hare coursing is banned.

Also Read: Call for ban on ‘cruel and barbaric’ hare coursing – IWT

Deputy McGrath said that groups such as the IWT “undermine rural Ireland” by condemning hare coursing, while “never opening their mouths about the gangs going around killing hares and rabbits and terrorising farm families”.

“They have total double standards – these groups. I never hear the Irish anti-blood sport groups talking about this illegal carry-on of terriers…