Live hare coursing is to continue in the Republic of Ireland.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne has said that he has no plans to withdraw current licences for hare coursing and that this activity will continue to have legal status.

This was in response to a parliamentary question from People Before Profit-Solidarity TD, Paul Murphy which asked the Minister Browne if he will refuse 2025-2026 hare netting licences for coursing because the “cruel activity” causes a serious disturbance to the Irish hare, and is in breach of Article 15 of the EU Habitats Directive.

Minister Browne said: “Licences issued by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my department include a significant number of conditions which must be met by any club operating under the ICC in relation to coursing hares.

“Coursing events are monitored by staff of the NPWS, where possible, to ensure that conditions are being met. I have no plans to withdraw the current licences.”

Licences for the capture and tagging of hares are issued to the Irish Coursing Club (ICC), and that this private organisation is responsible for the operation of live hare coursing events.

The minister highlighted that statutory responsibility for the act resides with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

Legal Live Hare Coursing
Three European countries, Ireland, Spain and Portugal, still allow legal hare coursing.

Hare coursing is banned in the United Kingdom including Northern Ireland, and most European countries.

Animal rights organisations have condemned the response by the Minister.

They have said that the campaign to ban live hare coursing will continue until this activity is outlawed by legislation.

Social Democrat TD for Wicklow Jennifer Whitmore has recently said she will be bringing the Protection of Hares Bill before the Dáil this year.

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If you have a tip for an animal welfare issue, an animal news article, a press release, or just want to just reach out to us, we’d love to hear from you. John Tierney, Animal News Ireland/Editor