Honour Tony with a ban on coursing

Sir — To mark the 10th anniversary of the death of Tony Gregory TD, a photographic exhibition on his life and work will open later this month in the heart of his former constituency.

This event will be a fitting and deserved accolade to a politician who worked vigorously for his constituents; who took a brave stand against evil drug pushers and, famously and controversially, signed the deal with Fianna Fail that secured a desperately needed multi-million pound investment for Dublin Central.

There is, though, another way to honour this tireless fighter for justice and equality. He was passionate about the plight of animals in Ireland, and in particular he campaigned, within and outside the Oireachtas, for a ban on the cruel practice of live hare coursing.

Many other politicians of all parties concurred with his stance, but when his bill proposing the abolition of this bloodsport came before the Dail in June 1993, the party whips were cracked and a measure that would have given protection to the long-suffering Irish hare was defeated by 104 votes to 16.

TDs who had pledged opposition to hare coursing were corralled into voting down the bill. I was in the public gallery and I noticed that many of them had their heads bowed and eyes averted, as they passed through the “Nil” lobby.

As a tribute to Tony Gregory on the tenth anniversary of his untimely death, I would appeal to all parties represented in the Dail to allow a free vote next time a bill is tabled to ban hare coursing. John Fitzgerald, Callan, Co Kilkenny