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Friday, August 31, 2007

Paisley: Dublin should close ‘dangerous dog’ loophole…

Ian Paisley’s reaction to last night’s Spotlight on dog fighting? He “urged the authorities in Dublin to review legislation being exploited by gangs involved in illegal cross-border dog trading”. Some detail from the Panorama report Pete noted yesterday:

The man from Dublin’s dog won. The other dog was so badly injured it couldn’t move. I’m not sure what happened to it but I had heard of what The Farmers’ Boys call the Tandragee bath.

The “bath” is apparently world famous in the dog-fighting circuit, it consists of placing the loser or a badly injured dog in a barrel of water and holding it under until it drowns.

These animals fight to the death for their handlers and this is how they’re repaid.

Mick Fealty @ 08:25 PM

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    Page 1 of 2 pages  1 2 >
  1. We welcome Dr.Paisley’s comments; and the true republican spirit that his words flows from.

    Ireland is one country, divided by an artificial border; so statements from the leader of ulsters protestants are very much part of a shared future and a New Ireland.

    We encourage the taoiseach to make similar statements about Belfast’s affairs.

    We hope Dr.Paisley can take his rightful place in Dail Ireland as soon as practical.

    Ogra Sinn Fein

    Posted by  on Aug 31, 2007 @ 09:24 PM
  2. ha ha, very funny parcel. Some of the laws down south are just a joke mate - sonner the south unite with GB the better lol.  I heard that to be a driving instructor down south u don;t even need a full licence!! there are no laws to strike off malpractising pharmacists etc etc etc.  they’re legal system is light years behind the UK.  All paisly is doin is highlighting how much better we are off in the UK.  Get used to it, I think this message will be repeated.

    Posted by  on Aug 31, 2007 @ 09:39 PM
  3. I am not sure quite how to respond to all this. hHwever I have taken the trouble to consult at length with my neighbour’s beautiful English Springer Spaniel bitch and she seemed only to utter “Woof, woof”, or something like that.

    So I just thought it might be interesting to pass along her reaction to these startling doggie events.

    Posted by  on Aug 31, 2007 @ 09:52 PM
  4. i hate dogs. I was bitten by a Turf lodge alsatian who hid in ambush style as I simulated a kick to a wee oversized rat mongrel thing that wouldnt stop yelping at me and nipping my jeans. that was over 15years ago i still have flash backs. ALL DOGS SHOULD BE PUT DOWN. Paisley wears a dog collar. Does anyone see a conspiracy here?

    Posted by  on Aug 31, 2007 @ 11:14 PM
  5. Kidso

    Sounds like you got what you deserved.

    Posted by  on Aug 31, 2007 @ 11:34 PM
  6. Can he lobby for better treatment for Ireland’s racing greyhounds?  In particular, Paddy Power should cough up some cash to build retired pounds for the dogs instead of just lining his pockets off the back of the poor animals, such timid and slender dogs, shame to hear of so many of them being maltreated after their life on the track expires into negative euros.

    Lets pursue this cause too.

    Posted by  on Aug 31, 2007 @ 11:40 PM
  7. http://www.ispca.ie/greyhound.html

    Typical politicos reacting to media over a certain type of breed; sums up government for you.

    TV - kneejerk - TV - kneejerk.  Point scoring.

    Posted by  on Aug 31, 2007 @ 11:48 PM
  8. I agree with Ian Paisley.

    The programme left us in no doubt that the South is the weak link in the chain.That’s the plain fact, see http://www.oconallstreet.com for more.

    Posted by Conall McDevitt on Sep 01, 2007 @ 06:01 AM
  9. dog eat dog…

    Posted by  on Sep 01, 2007 @ 08:09 AM
  10. Parcifal,

    I see you have Ogra Sinn Fein at the bottom of your post, are you referring the new youth wings extreme sports section: dogfighting & Orange Hall free-jumping?

    Posted by  on Sep 01, 2007 @ 09:07 AM
  11. cromwell
    I have no knowledge of these extra-curricular activities of which you speak

    Posted by  on Sep 01, 2007 @ 09:38 AM
  12. ‘I heard that to be a driving instructor down south u don;t even need a full licence!!’

    False. Recommend you go to your pharmacist for ‘audiclear’.

    ‘there are no laws to strike off malpractising pharmacists etc etc etc.’

    What is this based on, the same source you rely on regarding driving instructors?

    ‘etc etc etc’

    Ah yes, the refuge of the bankrupt of argument.

    Posted by  on Sep 01, 2007 @ 10:08 AM
  13. It appears youth wing members could do with growing a set (of wings), although I hear he’s wearing his broken wrist as a badge of honour.

    I wonder did he do that thing you do when you fall, sort of get up really quickly & look around to see if anyone noticed, before he realised the PSNI were watching, then he probably went “I want me Mammy boo hoo!” while his mates stoned the ambulance when it turned up to take him away.
    Or maybe he was in training for the IRAF, but in a schoolboy error forgot his parachute, “Bandit Country at 12 o’clock Seamus.”

    Posted by  on Sep 01, 2007 @ 10:14 AM
  14. “ha ha, very funny parcel (sic). Some of the laws down south are just a joke mate - sonner(sic) the south unite with GB the better lol.  I heard that to be a driving instructor down south u(sic) don;t(sic) even need a full licence!! there are no laws to strike off malpractising(sic) pharmacists etc etc etc.  they’re(sic) legal system is light years behind the UK.  All paisly(sic) is doin(sic) is highlighting how much better we are off(sic) in the UK.  Get used to it, I think this message will be repeated.

    Posted by agh on Aug 31, 2007 @ 10:39 PM”

    Oh dear. A. Each of your factual allegations (as has already been pointed out) are demonstrably untrue and B. the fact that you can barely spell/write/express yourself coherently says more about you than you can probably imagine.

    Posted by  on Sep 01, 2007 @ 10:24 AM
  15. I’m glad that the Rev. Paisley has now changed his mind and that he now believes that what happens in our neighbouring jurisdictions are suitable for comment.
    Pleased too that he spoke to the Taoiseach on this disgusting state of affairs.

    Posted by  on Sep 01, 2007 @ 12:03 PM
  16. I am sorry to say this but the GAA have again done themselves no favours by failing to clearly condemn Gerard Cavlan, the Tyrone county player (today’s Irish News).

    Yes, they appear to have briefed privately that he has no future in the game and yes, his community appears to be shunning him as is often the case when someone steps out of line in rural parts of Ireland- but this is not a local affair and Mr Cavlan is not a two bit player with only his parish’s views to contend with. This story is being debated across these islands, has led to intergovernmental contacts and Cavlan’s undeniable connection to the GAA means that their name will be mentioned along with his in the reports, whether they like it or not.

    From one perspective yesterday was a great opportunity for the finest sporting organsation on this planet to assert its authority and communicate clearly that people who apparently think it is good craic to watch dogs fight each other to death, to breed dogs for that purpose and to traffic them around Europe, are not fit to represent their county, their club or any other part of the GAA. Nothing makes me prouder then seeing 30 amateur players display skills and fitness worthy of the greatest professional games on this planet yet I am never sadder than when a spokesperson for some part or the other of this fantastic movement fails to address the central issue. By not condemning Cavlan outright the GAA failed to distance themselves appropriately, to send the right message to young fans and to recognise their special place in the heart of many of our communities. Saying that they ‘don’t condone’ is just not a clear enough message. Of course Cavlan is a private citizen, but when he puts on a county jersey he becomes an icon. As Stephen Philpott from the USPCA commented on the BBC, ‘this man is on my children’s wall....’.

    At another level entirely, mishandling this situation creates a PR problem. Last year the GAA enjoyed its best public relations ever. Allowing Rugby and soccer into Croke Park opened the gaelic games to a whole new audience. On this island many from a unionist perspective saw the organisation in a different and all together more positive light and across Britain, Europe and the southern hemisphere our stadium, a GAA stadium, became the envy of the world. Commentators waxed lyrical about these amazing games (gaelic football and hurling) and the amateur ethos that makes them so special. Everyone could see this was pure sport, played for the love of your club or your county, the most noble of contests and the most exciting of games. And yet now we have the proud name of the GAA mentioned alongside a ‘sport’ which is utterly barbaric and illegal.

    There is the possibility Mr Cavalan will face the courts again. If he does and if he is found guilty of further offences the GAA will be asked to comment again. Ireland we be listening carefully.

    Posted by Conall McDevitt on Sep 01, 2007 @ 12:18 PM
  17. Outsider. I will refine my desire to have all dogs put down to all dogs that are not on a leash. Im an adult can you imagine the fear a child would have if that child was attacked by a large(or small) animal. So peolple walking down any street DESERVE to be attacked by animals! Tells me the kind of hateful anti-human person you are.

    Posted by  on Sep 01, 2007 @ 12:50 PM
  18. Actually, his point about pharmacists is currently correct. They cannot be removed from the register. However, new legislation which covers fitness to practice has already been passed and will shortly be enacted.

    If anyone is interested, the details can be found here:

    http://www.pharmaceuticalsociety.ie/pharmacy_act_2007/pharmacy_act_2007/Navigation.html

    Posted by  on Sep 01, 2007 @ 12:59 PM
  19. Very well spoken Conall. I salute you sir.

    Posted by  on Sep 01, 2007 @ 02:06 PM
  20. Conall,

    You say there is a good chance Cavlan has a case to answer before the courts. And yet your response to the whole affair is to point a finger at failings of the gaa? Basic principles of justice require they say as little as possible while distancing themselves from dog fights. They are not a tabloid yet you have a taloid level expectation of them.

    The response must be nuanced to appease the “the gaa must flex their muscles” knee jerk with “justice must run it’s course” grown ups.

    “Ireland will be listening” surely justice is done in the courts, or at least should be.

    As for your points about the GAA’s PR etc, I played loads of sport as a kid and the best PR for a sports club is when you play the game and have a bit of craic with decent coaching be it rugby, football or whatever.

    So what I’m saying basically is the points you make are both equally poor.

    By the way Lee Hughes makes his debut for Oldham today while 3 years of his prison sentence is being served on Licence, with tag etc.

    Posted by  on Sep 01, 2007 @ 02:11 PM
  21. It’s too late ND.  The genii ain’t going back in the bottle.

    Posted by  on Sep 01, 2007 @ 02:42 PM
  22. Would seem that talking to your neighbour works.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6974188.stm

    Posted by  on Sep 01, 2007 @ 03:55 PM
  23. Joe,

    Sorry joe, don’t get exactly what is meant by your geni and bottle bit. 

    If you are saying I’m trying to defend the gaa or some such then you are wrong.The point i was trying to make is that there is a system at the heart of our present systemof government for dealing with issues of criminality and arriving at reasoned judgements on criminality.

    To ask a section of the community to pass judgement in these circumstancesis not workable in my view. In fairness Cavlan has previous but as that appears to be the tip of the iceberg best not to dive in, yet.

    As for the changes in the Law south of the border the calls for them to be changed are obvious in the circumstances and fair play to Paisley for taking the issue on. I hope it can be sorted very quickly.

    I recently saw something on BBC breakfast news where Dublin county council was making owners of a wholeload of different dog breeds give them up to keep their council homes. The question was whether the English councils could/should do likewisein response to problems that seem common allover the british isles.

    Law making is a responsive business, be it blades, firearms, asbo’s or dangerous dogs.

    Posted by  on Sep 01, 2007 @ 04:25 PM
  24. thanks for that link fraggle:

    http://www.pharmaceuticalsociety.ie/pharmacy_act_2007/pharmacy_act_2007/Navigation.html

    as for the typoes, my fingers are faster than my brain lol - no surprise there.  Can someone clarify the situation with the driving instructors - a guarda mate told me that a couple of years ago - maybe that has changed recently as well.  And wasn’t there some dodgy piece of legislation that allowed sex abusers to be released?  Must be a defence lawyers wet dream south of the border lol.

    Posted by  on Sep 01, 2007 @ 04:50 PM
  25. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L-plate#Republic_of_Ireland

    doesn’t mention driving instructers per se, but i think they can get away with not getting a full license.

    Posted by  on Sep 01, 2007 @ 04:52 PM
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