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Drop in Greyhound Racing Attendance in Ireland.

Greyhound Racing Attendance in Ireland Continues to Decline

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Greyhound racing attendance in 2025 records another decrease in public support.

Attendance at greyhound tracks around Ireland fell by 1,701 last year, recently released figures reveal.

Information obtained by Paul Murphy TD (Solidarity-People Before Profit) through a recent Dáil question reveal Greyhound Racing Ireland(GRI) statistics showing greyhound racing attendance rates were down at most Irish greyhound racing tracks in 2025.

Attempts to establish a factual attendance rate at Ireland’s greyhound tracks are hampered due to Greyhound Racing Ireland inclusion of 86,520 entries by those involved in racing at tracks, i.e. greyhound owners, greyhound trainers and bookmakers, as well as 441 entries by members of the press.

An analysis of the supplied information, excluding these entries, has revealed a downward spiral in greyhound racing attendance.

Greyhound Racing Attendance in Ireland Continues to Decline Read Post »

Elaine O’Riordan, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, University of Galway. Hedgehog sightings in Ireland.

Hedgehog Sightings in Ireland are Needed for the Great Big All-Ireland Hedgehog Count

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Hedgehogs sightings in Ireland are needed.

Hedgehog Conservation Ireland and researchers at University of Galway and University of Oxford are calling on people to take part in the inaugural Great Big All-Ireland Hedgehog Count, aimed at helping scientists better understand the status of Ireland’s hedgehog population.

From Monday June 8th, members of the public are encouraged to keep an eye out for hedgehogs in their gardens, parks, farms, estates, campuses and public green spaces, and report sightings online.

The nationwide citizen science campaign aims to build a clearer picture of where hedgehogs are still thriving across Ireland and where populations may be under pressure.

Hedgehog Sightings in Ireland are Needed for the Great Big All-Ireland Hedgehog Count Read Post »

Three pups being held ina person's arms. Puppy Farming In Ireland.

Puppy Farming In Ireland Set for Major Reform

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Puppy farming in Ireland is set for a major reform of existing legislation.

The Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2026 proposes new canine welfare standards, enforcement of standards on commercial canine breeding establishments, and stronger enforcement of the law on puppy farming.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, announced plans to introduce constructive reforms to Ireland’s dog breeding legislation, marking a step change in ensuring ethical breeding practices and in strengthening animal welfare standards for that sector nationwide.

The proposed reforms, set out in a draft General Scheme to amend the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, will introduce robust new measures targeting breeding practices, sales regulations, and enforcement powers.

Puppy Farming In Ireland Set for Major Reform Read Post »

Marchers on the Walk in Solidarity for Animal Welfare and Road Safety,’ , Clonmel, Co. Tipperary - 9th May 2026. Horse welfare.

Horse Welfare – Clonmel Marchers Say “Enough is Enough”

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Horse welfare matters.

That was the message given by over 600 hundred marchers at a ‘Walk in Solidarity for Animal Welfare and Road Safety,’ held in Clonmel last Saturday.

The march was organised by Labour Cllr Micheál “Chicken” Brennan and Independent Cllr Liam Browne, both members of Tipperary Co. Council, in partnership with My Lovely Horse Rescue.

The organisers say the march was in response to recent incidents involving sulky trotting in Clonmel, one of which led to a horse dying on the side of the road.

In addition, the march aimed to draw attention to the increasing dangers associated with sulky running on public roads.

Horse Welfare – Clonmel Marchers Say “Enough is Enough” Read Post »

Herd of Donkeys standing in hay barn. Donegal Donkey Sanctuary.

Donegal Donkey Sanctuary Facing Serial Planning Objectors

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Donegal Donkey Sanctuary (DDS), a donkey rescue centre based in Co. Donegal, have reported on their FB page a planning matter involving an objection to a proposed development at their sanctuary.

The DDS FB post says:

For the last couple of years our team have been working very hard towards obtaining planning permission here at the sanctuary with a view to creating an even better environment for the beautiful donkeys in our care.

Last July an objection was raised by a third party towards said planning and this has caused a huge delay in moving forward. Three weeks ago, Donegal County Council passed our planning application with the stipulation that we move our entrance road a number of metres to the right in order to comply with new sight line guidelines.

We need to emphasise at this point that this entrance road was originally passed for planning almost twenty years ago as it is in fact the road to our house. It is not a new entrance.

Donegal Donkey Sanctuary Facing Serial Planning Objectors Read Post »

NSPCA One National Voice for Animals Strategic Focus 2026-30 Launched.

NSPCA: One National Voice for Animals Strategic Focus 2026-30 Launched

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The NSPCA (The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) have launched its One National Voice for Animals Strategic Focus 2026-30.

In this seven‑page document, the NSPCA sets out its ambitious plan to enhance animal welfare across Ireland.

The NSPCA is calling for urgent reform of existing animal welfare legislation in Ireland. The organisation says while progress has been made, gaps in current protections means animals remain at risk, and enforcement is inconsistent. It believes that strengthen legislation, improving oversight and ensuring proper resourcing are essential to delivering meaningful and lasting changes.

NSPCA: One National Voice for Animals Strategic Focus 2026-30 Launched Read Post »

Cat and Dog being held in a person's arms. European Parliament.

EU Parliament Bill Will Protect Dogs and Cats

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The European Parliament has passed a Bill (28th April) that seeks to stop abusive practices, curb cruel business methods and protect the health of cats and dogs in its members states.

By 558 votes in favour, 35 against, and with 52 abstentions, MEPs gave their final green light to the first ever EU standards for the breeding, housing, traceability, import and handling of cats and dogs.

In the absence of animal welfare standards for dogs and cats across EU countries, the Commission proposed the new rules on 7 December 2023.

The new regulation, already agreed with Council, introduces an obligation for all dogs and cats kept in the EU, including those in private ownership, to be identifiable with microchips and registered in interoperable national databases.

EU Parliament Bill Will Protect Dogs and Cats Read Post »

Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn.

Ken O’Flynn, Independent Ireland TD, Says State is Failing Animals

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Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn has raised significant concerns regarding the State’s ability to monitor and respond effectively to animal cruelty offences, following new information received from the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan.

The Cork North Central TD said the data provided reveals a clear gap in how these offences have been tracked and understood at national level.

According to Deputy O’ Flynn, “The State only introduced a specific classification for animal cruelty incidents on the Garda PULSE system in 2024. That means, prior to that, there was no consistent or standardised way of recording these offences nationally. This raises a fundamental question. How can any government assess the scale of a problem if it has not been properly measured?”

Ken O’Flynn, Independent Ireland TD, Says State is Failing Animals Read Post »

Cat in a garden.

Cat Cruelty Case Sees Monaghan Couple Receive Three Months in Prison

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A cat cruelty case heard at Monaghan District Court (13th April) saw a married couple receiving a three month sentence for what Judge Raymond Finnegan described as what happened as “cruel” and “horrendous” behaviour towards an innocent animal.

Patrick Connolly (67) and Bernie Connolly (64), Alderwood, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan were each sentenced to three months in prison after admitting to animal cruelty and stealing their neighbour’s cat.

On the 13th May 2025, their neighbour reported the theft of her cat to the Gardaí. It was seen in her garden earlier, but was not there later on in the day.

Examination of the footage from her property CCTV system showed Mr Connolly lifting the cat from his patio and bringing it into his kitchen.

CCTV footage showed them trapping the cat in their kitchen, placing it into a white bag, tying it with string, and leaving their home with it. They later abandoned the bagged cat at Creevy Lake, a few miles outside Carrickmacross.

Cat Cruelty Case Sees Monaghan Couple Receive Three Months in Prison Read Post »

Sinn Féin time to support a ban on foxhunting in Ireland.

Sinn Féin Urged to Support and Pass Motion 29 at its Ard Fheis

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Sinn Féin needs to take a stand on foxhunting.

That was the message being issued by Irish animal welfare organisations in advance of the party’s annual Ard Fheis which takes place at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, Co, Antrim, on April 24-25.

At this annual conference, delegates will debate two motions on foxhunting as part of process to update the party’s animal welfare policy.

The proposed Motion 28 calls on party delegates to support the continuation of the cruel bloodsport, i.e. that it is “regulated” but not banned while the proposed Motion 29 calls on the party to “support a ban on the practice of fox hunting with dogs for the sole purpose of leisure”, stating that “the hunting of foxes using dogs for the sole purpose of leisure is unavoidably cruel and by necessity inflicts terror, exhaustion, irrevocable injury, and death on the foxes involved”.

Sinn Féin Urged to Support and Pass Motion 29 at its Ard Fheis Read Post »

Sulky Trotting Walk Clonmel Poster. Walk to be held on the 11st April 2026.

Ban Sulky Trotting Says Irish Animal Welfare Organisations

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Sulky trotting on public roads needs to be banned, says Irish animal welfare organisations.

This illegal practice involves a horse or pony pulling a small cart and trotting or racing on public roads has led to numerous incidents of injury and death to animals.

A recent incident in Clonmel town, Co. Tipperary saw a horse being killed as a result of a collision between a sulky and a vehicle.

To raise aware of this issue, a national protest walk will take place in Clonmel. Co. Tipperary on Saturday, 11th April at 3pm.

Tipperary County Council members, Cllr Micheál “Chicken” Brennan (Labour) and Cllr Liam Browne (Independent) working with the My Lovely Horse Rescue animal rescue charity have organised the event to draw attention to the increasing dangers associated with sulky running on public roads.

Ban Sulky Trotting Says Irish Animal Welfare Organisations Read Post »

Ban Foxhunting Protest outside Dáil Eireann. 25th March 2026

“Ah Go On, Go on” Ban Foxhunting says Fr Ted Star

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Ban foxhunting that was the message from actress Pauline McLynn of Fr Ted fame who was speaking at an anti-foxhunting protest outside the Dáil yesterday.

Rural Ireland Against Fox Hunting (RIAFH) organised the colourful event which drew a large attendance including representatives from anti-hunting organisations animal welfare groups, rural communities and farmers.

A number of protestors dressed up as Suffragettes in Edwardian costumes in a nod to the similar struggle to achieve change in society. Others wore fox masks, and one protester wore a traditional red fox-hunting blazer.

Addressing the crowd at the protest, Ms McLynn said that she, “cannot believe that in the 21st century, we’re still asking for a ban on fox hunting”. She went on to say, ““It just doesn’t make any sense that a very beautiful creature should be chased to within an inch of its life and then torn apart in the most excruciating death in the name of sport or even tradition.

“Just because something’s traditional, and the tiny tradition at that, doesn’t mean that it’s any good. There’s no place for it anymore.”

“Ah Go On, Go on” Ban Foxhunting says Fr Ted Star Read Post »

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