Francie's Spin on Hare Coursing
Sinn Fein's Francie Molloy has been on his feet in the Assembly this afternoon defending a proposal that two "regulated" hare coursing events should be maintained in Northern Ireland. Previously MLAs backed a ban on the practice. Mr Molloy argued that there had been too much "scare mongering" about the decline in the hare population. But that prompted an intervention from the Alliance's Stephen Farry, who commented that "the population of hares is irrelevant, it's the cruelty and lack of purpose to hare coursing" which is more important.
Mr Molloy countered by defending the whole tradition of hunting "rather than going in for the kill" he said coursing was "more akin to a leisurely stroll."
The DUP's Jim Wells claimed Mr Molloy had been put up to it by his colleague Kerry TD Martin Ferris. Francie Molloy denied that and said that next Mr Wells would ban anyone killing mice or fishing. Mr Wells retorted that hare coursing was like "fishing in a fish tank".
Mr Wells' colleague Peter Weir joined in on his behalf, noting that Tony Blair's former spin doctor Alastair campbell is visiting Stormont this afternoon, and "in terms of the spin he's put on things, I suspect even he could learn something from Mr Molloy."
The debate is still continuing.
UPDATE 1740: Francie Molloy's amendment has just been rejected by MLAs who are now debating an Alliance attempt to add the hare to the list of protected species.
UPDATE 1903: Alliance's bid to add the Irish hare to the protected list as just been defeated by 56 to 19 votes.
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