Ward Hunt’s new plan to circumvent ban

The Ward Union Hunt has issued a hunt card for the 2010-2011 season, and intends to use satellite tracking of the stag in an effort to find a way around the hunting ban imposed by the Government this summer. The hunt, which is hosting an open day at its Greenpark kennels this weekend to mark the start of the season, proposes releasing a stag up to four hours before the hunt begins, and allowing the animal to roam the countryside, all the time being tracked by satellite, before it is re-captured and transported away. Once in a place of safety, at least 3kms away, the hunt could begin. Last year, the hunt had the High Court overturn a licence issued by Environment Minister John Gormley where he imposed a condition that the hounds could not be released until the stag had been recaptured by the huntsman. At the time, the Ward Union Hunt claimed the situation was unworkable. A spokesman said a number of options were being considered by the group which wanted to “follow the scent of a deer, but within the law”. He said: “The deer could be followed on foot, by hunt personnel, and recaptured and brought to sanctuary. When that is signalled to the huntsman, the hunt could follow the scent. “The intention would be that the deer would be released about 8.30am and the hunt would start at noon.” A Department of the Environment spokesman said it had discussed the alternative proposals with the Ward Union Hunt. “Once they’re within the letter of the law, they can do what they want,” the spokesman said. But he added: “Hunting with packs of dogs is illegal. They cannot hunt with packs of dog, full stop.” Animal rights activists have forwarded details of the events to Gardaí asking them to prosecute any breaches of the new law. Bernie Wright of the Association of Hunt Saboteurs Ireland claimed she had learned from sources in the hunt that it was planning to hunt stags again and she said she was seeking a Garda investigation. If the hunt is found to be in breach of the law, it could face fines ranging from €500 to € 1,000 for a first offence, from €1,000 to €2,000 for a second offence, and from €1,500 to €5,000 for a third or subsequent offence. The maximum fine for conviction on indictment was increased to €100,000 in the controversial legislation driven by the Green Party and passed by one vote in the Dáil last June. The Ward Union is hosting an open day this coming Saturday, 23rd October, between 2pm and 5pm at the hunt kennels at Greenpark, Skryne, for farmers, families and friends of the hunt. On Sunday, the hunt’s point-to-point races will take place at Tattersalls Farm, Fairyhouse.