Greyhounds seized by Revenue officers at Dublin Port last weekend

Yesterday.

The Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announced it was caring for 12 greyhounds which were seized by Revenue officers at Dublin Port last weekend.

They wrote:

The dogs were being transported in a Spanish registered vehicle in cramped conditions with cages stacked on top of each other or piled with other boxed goods.

They were being transported two dogs to a cage and three of the cages were not accessible without unloading the rest of the vehicle.

Ten of the greyhounds were wearing muzzles. They had no access to food or water and it is estimated that they would have been in transit for over 24 hours before arriving at their Spanish destination.

Following examination by DSPCA Veterinary Staff, several of the dogs were found to have minor injuries and elevated body temperatures and all of the dogs were showing signs of dehydration.

Paperwork accompanying the dogs show that all dogs are registered with the Irish Greyhound Stud Book and originate from dog trainers in Cork, Kerry, Tipperary and Wexford.

Records also show that nine of the 12 dogs have raced in the last month, one raced last in 2016 and two have no race records recorded.

The DSPCA are appalled by the barbaric treatment of these animals despite the revelations seen in RTE’s Prime Time program “Greyhounds Running for their Lives” and the assurances given by the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB), since the Prime Time programme, that measures were being taken to address Animal welfare issues in their industry.

“This seizure flies in the face of the illusion being created by IGB that animal welfare is being taken seriously. The continuing grant of €16.8 million of taxpayers’ money is no longer acceptable,” said DSPCA CEO Brian Gillen.

“The DSPCA are calling on Minister [for Agriculture Michael] Creed to withdraw all funding allocation to the greyhound industry in Budget 2020.”

Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Investigations under way after caged greyhounds found at Dublin port (RTÉ)

Related: BAI rejects complaint by Irish Greyhound Board over RTÉ documentary (The Irish Times)

This morning.

Met Éireann issued a Status Yellow wind warning for the whole country for tomorrow from noon until midnight.

It also issued a Status Yellow rain warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry, Tipperary and Waterford from 4am tomorrow morning until 7pm tomorrow evening.

Sigh.

Met Éireann

This evening.

At 6pm.

To mark International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers…

Sex Workers Alliance Ireland will host a candlelit vigil outside Leinster House. The group writes:

Together we will honour those who have suffered violence and lost their lives due to the dehumanising stigma and marginalisation created by criminal laws.

This year the extent to which our laws both actively harm sex workers and fail to protect us have come into sharp focus. Two workers have been prosecuted and sentenced to jail for the crime of working together for safety. One of these workers is pregnant.

We now know that violent crime against sex workers has increased by 92% since the law came into effect in 2017. Less than 1% of sex workers would report crime against them to the police. Recent spates of attacks and robberies on sex workers show that the law is failing to protect us.

Every sex worker we speak to wants to work with another worker for safety. Our so-called brothel-keeping laws prevent us from keeping ourselves safe.

This is the final IDEVASW before our law is reviewed in 2020. We must be listened to as the experts in living and working under this law.

Candlelight Vigil: End Violence Against Sex Workers (Facebook)

Previously: “It Is An Extremely Dangerous Piece Of Legislation”

From top: Sophie Toscan Du Plantier; Ian Bailey (left); John D Fitzgerald SC

This morning.

On RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.

Barrister John D Fitzgerald SC spoke to Rachel English about the decision yesterday by Mr Justice Donald Binchy, in the High Court, to endorse a European Arrest Warrant issued by France for West Cork-based British former journalist Ian Bailey.

Mr Bailey was arrested and released on bail following the endorsement and will appear in the High Court again on January 20th, 2020, but his case will be up for mention this Friday.

The endorsement of the warrant marks the third time that French authorities have sought Mr Bailey’s surrender in relation to the death of filmmaker Sophie Toscan du Plantier, who was found dead outside her holiday home in Schull almost 23 years ago, in December 1996.

The issuing of the warrant, and yesterday’s endorsement of the same, followed Mr Bailey being convicted of Ms Du Plantier’s murder in his absence in a Paris court earlier this year.

The three-judge Cour d’Assises in Paris imposed a 25-year prison sentence on him in his absence. Mr Bailey did not attend the French court and had no legal representation. He described the proceedings as a “farce”.

Documents which emerged in November 2011 showed that the late former Director of Public Prosecutions Eamon Barnes believed the Garda investigation into the murder was “thoroughly flawed and prejudiced” against Mr Bailey.

Mr Bailey has always denied any involvement in Ms Du Plantier’s death.

Further to this…

Rachel English: “This isn’t the first time that France has requested Ian Bailey’s extradition. What happened before?”

John Fitzgerald: “No, it’s not the first time. And this is in fact the third. This represents the latest in a series of requests by the French authorities stretching back almost 10 years.

“The Supreme Court refused to surrender Mr Bailey for the first time in 2012 on a number of grounds, the most important perhaps, for present purposes, of which was that we [Ireland] at the time didn’t prosecute for extraterritorial offences, unless those offences were committed by an Irish citizen.

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Last night.

Claire Byrne Live on RTÉ One.

Singer Brian Kennedy (top) discusses the silent Christmas night had by many in Ireland involving turkey for one and – for whatever reason – no family involvement whatsoever.

How estranged are you, anyone?

“I can’t get this balaclava on for love nor money”

‘Thick As’

A comedy short set in Belfast made for Channel 4’s ‘Comedy Blaps’.

Directed by Fergal Costello, produced by Luke Mason and starring Ian Beattie, Tracey Lynch, Chloe Hodgens, Tara Cush and Shane Todd.

Thick As (Comedy Blaps, Channel 4)

Channel 4 Comedy

Thanks Laura Gaynor

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