'JUST DO IT'-IF NOT YOU-WHO? IF NOT NOW -WHEN?
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, IRISH DRUGS INDUSTRY TARGETTED BY ANIMAL RIGHTS EXTREMISTS 1-8-2005
IRISH drugs industry targeted by animal rights extremists by JIM CUSACK
ANIMAL rights extremists, with links to groups that have carried out terror-style attacks in the UK, USA and mainland Europe, havebegun targeting Ireland's pharmaceutical industry.Until last year activists only carried out night-time raids on farms, vandalised circus posters and held protests against hunts and other events involving animals.
However, the Sunday Independent has learned that a hardcore group of extremists has been visiting the offices and factories of Ireland's top pharmaceutical companies and is believed to have been spying on senior employees.Two firms - Wyeth, which is building a €1bn-plus facility at Lucan, and GlaxoSmithKline - are understood to have been targeted. No damage has been done or threats issued, but senior gardai are concerned that the intimidation could escalate into something more sinister.
It coulddiscourage pharmaceutical corporations from investing in Ireland, which could damage the economy. This year alone pharmaceutical exports are likely to account for €16bn out of total exports of around €50bn.Animal rights extremists in Britain have carried out an unremitting campaign of violence, intimidation and disruption against companies involved in testing chemicals for human use on animals Ten days ago an Irish group held a "night of discussions, debate, and enlightenment embracing ideas, tactics and skills with renowned figures from the grassroots animal liberation movement".
So far, ALF activities in Ireland have attracted attention only in local papers. In June they tore down dozens of posters for Circus Hoffman in Co Kildare. They also claim to have vandalised property belonging to the Dare Devil Circus in June and Fossetts and the Vegas Circus last year.In a statement on the "Bite Back" website, claiming responsibility for the attacks, the author wrote: "ALF Ireland message is simple - remove all animals from Irish circuses or we will be taking our actions to another level." On the same website the Irish "activists" also claim to have vandalised Shelbourne Park and Limerick greyhound stadium, as well as planting "incendiary" devices and scattering nails and tacks on the hare-coursing field at Clonmel, Co Tipperary in January. While such activities have been viewed as minor irritants, gardai are concerned that figures involved might graduate to the more dangerous activities associated with animal rights groups abroad. In the US, executives of companies like SmithKlineGlaxo have had their homes attacked at night and received threats to their spouses and children. Similar threats were made to staff at Huntington Laboratories in Britain, a company which is involved in live testing of pharmaceuticals on animals. In the event, the ALF attacks were carried out on businessmen with no associations with Huntington. oulddiscourage pharmaceutical corporations from investing in Ireland, which could damage the economy. This year alone pharmaceutical exports are likely to account for €16bn out of total exports of around €50bn. Animal rights extremists in Britain have carried out an unremitting campaign of violence, intimidation and disruption against companies involved in testing chemicals for human use on animals.
Ten days ago an Irish group held a "night of discussions, debate, and enlightenment embracing ideas, tactics and skills with renowned figures from the grassroots animal liberation movement". So far, ALF activities in Ireland have attracted attention only in local papers. In June they tore down dozens of posters for Circus Hoffman in Co Kildare. They also claim to have vandalised property belonging to the Dare Devil Circus in June and Fossetts and the Vegas Circus last year. In a statement on the "Bite Back" website, claiming responsibility for the attacks, the author wrote: "ALF Ireland message is simple - remove all animals from Irish circuses or we will be taking our actions to another level." On the same website the Irish "activists" also claim to have vandalised Shelbourne Park and Limerick greyhound stadium, as well as planting "incendiary" devices and scattering nails and tacks on the hare-coursing field at Clonmel, Co Tipperary in January. While such activities have been viewed as minor irritants, gardai are concerned that figures involved might graduate to the more dangerous activities associated with animal rights groups abroad. In the US, executives of companies like SmithKlineGlaxo have had their homes attacked at night and received threats to their spouses and children. Similar threats were made to staff at Huntington Laboratories in Britain, a company which is involved in live testing of pharmaceuticals on animals. In the event, the ALF attacks were carried out on businessmen with no associations with Huntington.
EXAMINER January 24, 2005
Activists threaten to firebomb hare coursing events
MEMBERS of a militant animal rights organisation are reported to be planning a series of firebomb attacks on hare coursing events and those who support the sport here. The Animal Liberation Front, a direct action group that has carried out attacks in Britain and the US, said it has acquired incendiary devices and intends to use them against targets in Ireland. It is claimed Limerick property owned by JP McManus, the racing tycoon, may be among the targets because he sponsors hare coursing events. ALF's communications officer, London-based Robin Webb, confirmed there are "very strong indications" activists had acquired devices to use against property and people linked to bloodsports in Ireland. Mr Webb said he does not have direct knowledge of any specific planned attack. However, he added that his organisation's main objective is to cause damage that would have severe and dramatic economic implications for individuals linked to "animal cruelty" in Ireland.He attacked Mr McManus who sponsors a three-day event to be held at Limerick Racecourse next month for backing a "cruel and barbaric sport". "ALF members will have no problem carrying out an arson attack on any of his properties," Mr Webb said. Hare coursing is split into two types, open and enclosed. There are 78 closed courses, which are regulated by the Irish Coursing Club (ICC). The hares are chased around the track by muzzled greyhounds.On open courses, fields, the dogs are not muzzled. There have been calls from politicians for the sport to be banned.
ICC chief executive Gerry Desmond said he is aware of the threats. The organisation is taking them seriously and security will be tightened at events. He confirmed gardaí are investigating. "These people are known to be extremely violent so we are treating this as a priority. "What these people are doing is little else than criminal bullying and intimidating people who choose to support a sporting activity that they do not like." However, the Irish Council against Blood Sports said the sport involves "the terrorising of one animal by another and is full of unnecessary cruelty and killing". The hare is used as a live lure and every year thousands suffer stress, injury and death, says the council. A garda spokesperson said the force takes threats such as these very seriously and will be monitoring them through intelligence, and any specific information will be acted upon.
Bookmakers come unstuck in glue attack on 15 city premises.- Independent 28-7
The Bookmakers came unstuck in A number of bookmakers worried at losing their biggest pay day in the racing calendar had to break their way into their own premises.The offices affected were basedin the city in Oranmore and in Athenry. gardai said yesterday they were studying CCTV footage in the hunt for the culprits.
January 6th, 2001 Coursing debacle causes call for enquiry
CLAIM and counterclaim surround the release of up to 30 hares from a holding compound in Abbeyfeale over the weekend and the cancellation of coursing in the town. A spokesman for the Animal Liberation Front said this Wednesday he was "absolutely confident" it was an action by an ALF supporter or sympathiser which released the hares.But sources in Abbeyfeale Coursing Club claim it was a "local job" and not the work of the ALF."It is not unusual for the blood sports fraternity to deny it was the work of protestors," Robin Webb, spokesman for the ALF, told the Limerick Leader. "They don't like to acknowledge that their barbaric pursuits encourage protest." The Abbeyfeale action fitted the profile of a previous incident at Edenderry in October when up to 30 hares were released, he argued.But, according to others, bad weather and a suspected virus among the hares were the real reasons why last Monday's coursing was called off and transferred to Galbally. Originally due to take place over the weekend, the meeting was rescheduled to Monday and Tuesday but, according to one source, it was not widely known that the prestigious Corn na Féile stakes would not be run although this was decided at least 24 hours in advance."It is a fact that the Coursing Club discovered and came to the conclusion, during the running of the two trial stakes on Monday that a number of the hares weren't up to standard. That is why they decided then, in consultation with the officers of the Wildlife Service who were present, to call off the meeting in Abbeyfeale and conclude the stakes in Galbally," Jerry Desmond, Secretary of the Irish Coursing Club explained. The Wildlife officers were "happy" to have the stakes continue in Abbeyfeale, Mr Desmond said, adding that there were sufficient hares available who were up to standard. "But the Club itself felt it would be more prudent to run the event in Galbally," he said and he complimented them for going "beyond the call of the regulations".Hares from the Galbally area were used in Wednesday's meeting to avoid any risk of the virus spreading, according to Mr Desmond and the Abbeyfeale hares were now under veterinary supervision prior to being released back into the wild. An internal enquiry is to take place.Mr Desmond however dismissed as "without substance" a claim by Bernadette Wright of Hunt Sabs that a scarcity of hares meant that hares were not being released after meetings but were being sold on from one club to another for about £50 each. Jack O'Rourke, Secretary of Abbeyfeale Coursing Club and also President of the ICC, was not available for comment.
Mink farm targeted by animal rights group
Thursday, March 20, 2008
http://www.laois-nationalist.ie/news/story/?trs=cwqlqlauau&cat=news
Mink farm targeted by animal rights group
By: Joe Barrett
GARDAÍ in Portlaoise are investigating an attack by animal rights activists at a mink farm in Vicarstown after a large number of mink were released from their pens over the weekend.
A garda source told the Laois Nationalist sometime over the weekend the mink farm was accessed when someone broke a lock from a gate, released over 500 mink and sprayed graffiti around the farmyard.
Una Heffernan of Vasa Limited which owns the farm, said while the mink had been released from their cages they were contained in the holding compound of the yard and none had escaped into the countryside.
Ms Hefferan said graffiti sprayed around the buildings was quite specific and gave the name of the Animal Liberation Front (ALF).
She was unable to say whether this group has any connections with another group the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade who have held protests outside her farm on a number of occasions.
This is not the first time the mink farm has been targeted in such a way. About five years ago animal rights activists released about 50 mink into the wild. These were quickly rounded up.
To date no one has ever been arrested, charged or convicted with any illegal activity in attempting to release mink from the farm.
There have been sporadic protests outside the farm over the past number of years by the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade venting their opposition to the farm's activities.
from a protest line outside the Department of Agriculture in Dublin Laura Broxson, a spokesperson for this group, denied any of her members was involved in any way in the weekend's events.
She said her group has no connections to the Animal Liberation Front.
"This is the first we've heard about this. We're not a group that gets involved in any illegal activities. We do however support direct legal action. We demonstrate and distribute publications opposing the fur trade and would not condone last weekend's actions.
"We can understand though why some people are inclined to take matters into their own hands in this way. There is a lot of frustration at the slowness of the Government in coming forward with legislation to outlaw the fur trade in the country.
"Some people see this type of action as similar to freeing slaves. Those underground activists see mink farmers as locking up wild animals against their nature in confined spaces."
Ms Broxson said her group intends organising "an awareness" day in Portlaoise in May or June which will be followed by a protest outside the mink farm and she is asking local people opposed to the fur trade to join them in their day of action.
