Gardaí in Clifden, Co Galway, are carrying out inquiries into claims that up to 30 hares were netted near Roundstone in Connemara, last month and subjected to cruelty before being taken away.
No official complaint has been lodged with gardaí, but Mr Joe Rafferty, secretary of the Roundstone Beaches Environmental Project, says the community is "devastated". Only two out of 30 hares are believed to have survived the hunt, Mr Rafferty said.
Garda Supt Tony Dowd said he was aware of the reports, and was carrying out preliminary inquiries. Under the Wildlife Act, the capture of hares for coursing is permitted, but the gardaí would be very concerned about any cruelty involved, Supt Dowd said. The hares frequented a commonage area between Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay, two kilometres south-west of Roundstone village on the coast road to Clifden. The coastline has been designated as a special area of conservation under European habitat regulations, and local farmers have subscribed to a voluntary grazing control initiative there for several generations.
Mr Rafferty said he did not witness the hare hunt but said it occurred several weeks before Christmas.
"The hares were rounded up in nets and then dogs were let loose on them,"Mr Rafferty said. "We believe many of the animals were killed, and the same group then returned on a second occasion. Some local people witnessed this, but they were afraid to take any action at the time. We do not believe that anyone from the locality was involved."
The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government said it had contacted its wildlife ranger in the area and was aware that hares had been netted.
"We were not aware that any dogs were involved and we have no details of anything untoward having taken place," a Department spokeswoman said.
Under current regulations, a licence is granted to the Irish Coursing Club by the Department, which allows local clubs in various areas - apart from the Sloblands of Wexford - to capture hares for coursing meets, subject to permission from the local landowner. However, the Roundstone area is commonage.
