The Hunting Association of Ireland

RISE Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

CORK TO HOST FIRST R.I.S.E. RALLY!

The inaugural meeting of the new RISE (Rural Ireland Says Enough!) Board was given a detailed briefing today of the main issues on which it will focus over the coming months. Labour and Fine Gael politicians in particular will be targeted for what hunting, shooting and fishing associations believe is political disregard for their concerns as manifested by the response of the Minister for Justice and other members of the Cabinet to the outcome of the High Court firearms licensing test cases, including their attempts to defend the behaviour of some senior Gardai who were found to have interfered with evidence and who breached the Garda disciplinary code while at the same time demonising the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) for supporting the challenges. This issue is set against the background of the intervention and findings of Mr Justice Hedigan following which 168 cases were settled with an order for costs in excess of €1million against the Gardai.

A second issue which has now finally come to a head is the deep resentment and anger which is directed against Labour for opposing, and Fine Gael for reneging, on the pre-general election commitment by Fine Gael to repeal the legislation banning hunting by the Ward Union Stag Hounds in return for votes in the general election.

The failure to have any consultation with hunting representatives in the drafting of the Animal Health & Welfare Bill is also a highly contentious issue, particularly following previous broken promises on the Dog Breeding Establishments Act.

The proposed licensing of new fish farms by the Minister for Agriculture Food & the Marine which will threaten the conservation of wild Atlantic salmon has also infuriated the Federation of Irish Salmon and Sea Trout Anglers (FISSTA).

These issues have now festered to the point of uniting all thirteen national hunting, shooting and fishing organisations under the RISE banner. The Board has decided to kick-start the campaign with a monster rally in Cork on Thursday, June 7th at 8pm to which all Munster TD’s and Senators and the Minister for Agriculture will be invited. The venue will be announced on Monday. RISE spokesperson Des Crofton said “Quite frankly we have all had enough of this government’s deception, broken promises and spin. We are simply no longer in the mood to tolerate the dishonesty. There is no excuse for treating us in this way and we are not going to accept it. The Government doesn’t have the excuse here of relying on coercion by the EU/IMF/EUCB troika. They tell and promise us one thing and then do the opposite and they know full well what they are doing. The gloves are off and we are about to teach Fine Gael and Labour a lesson. They already know what we are capable of. We have the numbers on our side, some 300,000, which we will mobilise through RISE. They can expect a virtual wipe out of Fine Gael and Labour held seats in the local elections and after that the focus will be on the general election. If the Government wishes to avoid this fight, it must deliver immediately on all of these issues. Hunting, shooting and fishing has simply lost patience with them.”

ENDS
12th May 2012

Horse Sport Ireland

HAI Affiliate to Horse Sport Ireland

Horse Sport Ireland has confirmed that the Hunting Association of Ireland (HAI) has been accepted as an Affiliate body to Horse Sport Ireland.

Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Joe Walsh said:

“Hunting is a hugely significant aspect of the Sport Horse Sector and it is a very important market for Irish-bred horses,” he said.

Last year over 6,000 horses hunted in Ireland and Horse Sport Ireland is keen to work with the HAI to record more breeding details for these horses.

“With our new online database ‘CapallOir’ now in place we are keen to record details of our hunting horses. We believe that this information would be of interest to prospective purchasers of Irish horses and would add value to our mare herd,” he said.

David Lalor of the Hunting Association of Ireland said that the organisation was pleased to affiliate to Horse Sport Ireland.

“It is vital for hunting to be at the heart of the Sport Horse Sector and we will be attending our first meeting of the HSI Sport Sub Board next Monday in Horse Sport Ireland and we are looking forward to playing our part in the sector,” he said.

ENDS

Photo by Catherine Power www.foxtrot.ifp3.com

IMFHA appoint new Hon. Sec

IMFHA appoint Hon Sec
Sonya Purcell has recently been appointed Hon Sec of the Irish Masters of Foxhounds
From Emly, Co Tipperary , she comes from a strong hunting family being the daughter of Philip and Maura Purcell. She is sales manager for an international food company in Ireland and has hunted all her life. She comes from a family steeped in hunting and rarely misses a day particularly at weekends

Hunt Directory

We are currently up-dating details on the directory section of the web-site
Hunt secretaries who wish to have their listing of personelle etc for the coming season up-dated should forward detais to hunting@hai.ie or click on the contact button

IMFHA

IMFHA Seminar

IMFHA SEMINAR 7th of March at the Keadeen Hotel,
Newbridge. 7 00 pm
There will be three speakers made up of;
Ms. Eleanor Wauchob – Topic – Kennel Cough
Mr. Barry O’ Driscoll – The Dog Breeding Bill
Nutritional expert – Representative from Red mills
Q&A open discussion
Please confirm how many will be attending
Light refreshments will be served.
All are welcome

Group at the AGM of the IMHA meeting in Kilcornan Front row L to R Dick Doocey incoming president, Tom Geary MH hon sec Austin Fitzpatrick MH Chairman , Hugh O’Donovan and Michael O’Shaughnessy MH Photo by Dickie Power

Irish Masters of Harriers AGM

IRISH MASTERS OF HARRIERS
ASSOCIATION AGM

The AGM of the Irish Masters of Harriers Association took place on Sat 10th September in the Kilcornan Community Hall, Co Limerick. Special Guest Speaker was Mr Jim Murphy, recent Chairman of the HAI and was chairman of the Irish Foot-Harriers for many years. He was also Director of Hunting with Hounds with FACE Ireland. This years AGM was hosted by the Stonehall Harriers Hunt Club as part of their centenary celebrations. The Stonehall Harriers have always enjoyed a special place in the loyalty and affection of Shannonsiders by their conduct and contributions to the local community.

Outgoing IMHA President Mr Hugh O’Donovan, Upton Harriers, having served three years, welcomed the delegates and wished the meeting well. He raised a wide range of issues
but said that that disunity and infighting within hunts and between hunts was our biggest concern. He said we should do more to bring all hunts under the recognised associations and that delegates should air their opinion and views in an open and cordial way.

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Donal Boyle with Dickie Power at Punchestown

Donal Boyle elected Chairman HAI

At the recent AGM Donal Boyle representing the IMHA was eleced chairman .Donal who comes from Ardfinnan in Co Tipperary has a long and distinguished record of service to hunting. He comes from a family steepted in hunting. He is a founder member and former chairman of the Premier Harriers as well as having been chairman of both FACE and the IMHA. In addition he is a director of the RISE campaign. He breeds both TB and sport horses.His son Paddy carries on the family tradition and hunts with the Premier’s the sixth generation of his family to hunt

IMFHA elect new Chairman

Rupert McCauley elected chairman of IMFHA

On the retirement of George Chapman ,Rupert McCauley was elected chairman of the Irish Masters of Foxhounds Association. Rupert brings a lifetime of hunting to the role being master and huntsman of the West Wicklow Fox Hounds. He was formerly master and amateur huntsman of the Kildare Foxhounds for many seasons and is a former chairman of the HAI.
George Chapman , Master of the Island Fox Hounds has been chairman for the last four seasons. He steered hunting through turbulent times with an openly “anti” minister for the environment in office.
We can only wish Rupert a successful chairmanship and I’m sure hunting can only prosper with such experience at the helm

HAI Membership

2010 is Membership Year
The Hunting Association of Ireland (HAI) is made up of The Six Hunting with hounds associations and each of those associations pays an annual sub to The HAI which goes some way to the running of The HAI.

Three years ago the associations agreed to form an individual membership section of The HAI which all hunt club members and supporters could join by paying an annual membership fee.
In 2010 our aim is to have a major membership drive. If you support HAI by joining and paying what is a modest annual membership fee, HAI will not only be able to be more efficient at it’s political work but will be able to expand its promotional campaign into the future.

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New HAI/IFA Countryside Membership Package

HAI have recently had successful negotiations with IFA Countryside to form a partnership between IFA and HAI. This means that for just €55, you can enjoy HAI membership as well as the IFA countryside personal accident insurance package which also includes other benefits. Join online or contact Dickie Power on 0851100645