With respect to Martin Luther King Jr, I have a vision – a vision that one day sees Ireland as a country where the rights of animals are accepted, protected and defended.
I have a vision that the non-human members of our society will be treated with the respect they deserve and are protected from those who wish them harm; that those who create a climate of vilification towards the creatures of the wild and who desire to inflict pain on these sentient beings, for whatever reason, are rendered silent and are ostracised from decent society.
Ireland has an appalling record on animal rights and welfare issues. Animal abuse both within the legal and illegal realms are stitched into the fabric our society.
It appears that there is no level to which some elements of our society will not stoop in order to violate the rights of animals, be it for profit, entertainment, food or for the enjoyment of causing suffering. A layer of Irish society exists that remains handcuffed to the traditions of the Dark Ages. For them, animals are objects to use, exploit and abuse.
Irish society needs to establish a debate on what type of relationship should exist between humans and animals, who are our psychological kin. I have a vision that when we reach the outcome of this debate, society will have a roadmap outlining the action that must be put in motion to bring a new dawning in our relationship with those who share our island space with us.
For those who have suffered, and for those who are suffering, that dawning will represent freedom from those with a proclivity for causing fear to appear in their eyes. Free at last, free at last – now it's their turn to be free.
John Tierney
Campaigns director,
Association of Hunt Saboteurs
