Great News from Commercial Court

international | miscellaneous | opinion/analysis

Wednesday May 18, 2011 19:22

by Battling Bloodsports in Ireland

Great news from the Commercial Court today (May 18th) re the case of Greenband Investments v Irish Coursing Club!

A "sport" that will now hopefully be weakened...

Ireland’s Hare Coursing Club presented with huge legal costs bill today in Commercial Court...

Earlier today (may 18th 2011) the Irish Coursing Club was presented with a huge bill for costs in the Commercial Court in the successful case brought against it by property developer, Greenband Investments, for an alleged breach of contract over the sale of a strip of land near the ICC headquarters in County Tipperary.

We do not know the exact figure because our observer arrived a little late for the hearing due to traffic restrictions arising from the royal visit, but we understand that the ICC sought to have the amount awarded reduced and that the judge, Mr. Frank Clarke, refused this request.

We are delighted at this outcome and we welcome the awarding of substantial costs against the umbrella body for the sadistic practise of live hare coursing in Ireland.

We are hopeful that the costs imposed will be high enough to topple this vile organisation, which is already in serious financial trouble. We are aware of speculation on internet chat sites dedicated to aspects of the Irish greyhound industry that Powerstown Park Racecourse in Clonmel, County Tipperary, venue for the annual three-day national hare coursing “festival”, may have to be sold off to pay towards costs in the long-running case).

The ICC’s downfall would be a great boost to the cause of animal welfare in Ireland and to hare conservation nationwide. More than seventy enclosed hare coursing clubs all over Ireland are affiliated to it, each of which organises events that consist of terrorizing live hares for the purposes of gambling and recreation.

We have written to all TDs and Senators, appealing to them not to support or tolerate any government-backed bale-out of the ICC; or the allocation of a single cent of tax-payer’s money to the organisation in the event that it becomes bankrupt.

Note: The ICC has already been ordered to pay in excess of six hundred thousand Euro to Greenband for its alleged breach of contract with the Limerick-based property developer over a strip of land located near the ICC’s HQ in Clonmel, County Tipperary. Here is a link to an article on the earlier damages award:

www.thurles.info/2011/03/10/irish-coursing-club-to-pay-e640k-damages/

-Campaigners Against Blood Sports