Neeson fights to keep horse-drawn carriages in New York

Northern Irish actor

Liam Neeson

directly lobbied the

Department of the Taoiseach

seeking the Government’s support to stop plans by New York City mayor Bill de Blasio to ban horse-drawn carriages from Central Park.

The Hollywood star contacted the department's secretary general Martin Fraser earlier this month to seek the Taoiseach's backing for the Central Park carriage drivers, many of whom had emigrated from Ireland, ahead of Enda Kenny's meeting with Mr De Blasio on a visit to New York today.

A Government spokesman confirmed that the Ballymena-born actor, who lives in Manhattan, had contacted the department on the issue of the Central Park carriages but declined to comment further.
The carriage drivers are hoping that Mr Kenny will stop at Central Park South, where they are based, after he marches in the city's St Patrick's Day parade up Fifth Avenue next to the park today.

They hope to avail of a photo opportunity with the Taoiseach in what would be a public relations boost for their campaign.

Awkward
The future of the carriage industry could be another awkward topic of discussion for the Taoiseach and Mr De Blasio when they meet this morning at the mayor's St Patrick's Day breakfast at his residence, Gracie Mansion, and later in the afternoon for a more business-like encounter at New York City Hall.

Mr De Blasio is boycotting today’s parade because of the organisers’ ban on gays, lesbians and transsexuals marching openly with gay pride banners and colours, but Mr Kenny is participating.

Mr Neeson has fought a high-profile publicity campaign for the carriage industry, raising the issue during appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Jon Stewart's Daily Show , while promoting a new film.

The actor is attempting to heap pressure on Mr De Blasio to push him to reverse his plans to replace the horse-drawn carriages with antique-style vintage cars.

Animal-rights activists have argued that the industry is cruel on the horses, citing a number of accidents in recent years, in a campaign backed by the New York mayor before his election last year.
Mr Neeson who has said that he has admired the horses and carriages for 20 years walking around Central Park, has spoken about the industry's long-standing place in the city's history.

'Beautiful industry'
Describing the arriage business as "a beautiful industry," Mr Neeson said earlier this month: "This is an industry that's been here since before Abraham Lincoln's first inauguration."

Seeking to dismiss allegations that the horses were being ill-treated, the actor invited all 51 members of the New York City council to the Clinton Park Stables, home to 78 of the carriage horses, to see the conditions for themselves.

A dozen council members turned up, but not Mr De Blasio. “He should have manned up and come,” Mr Neeson said. “I’m disappointed he’s not here.”

Mr De Blasio has promised to visit the stables and has said that he is willing to meet Mr Neeson but he has also stressed that he still wants to replace the carriages with antique electric cars.

The actor has dismissed that plan, saying that New York doesn't need any more cars and that a similar scheme introduced in San Francisco "failed abysmally".

The Taoiseach will march alongside the New York GAA in the parade to help commemorate their centenary.

The parade is being dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the association.