Hundreds of people have turned out at Leinster House this afternoon for protests on hare coursing, the cost of living, and lack of services for children with autism and disabilities.
Several protesters from PETA even dressed up as dinosaurs, as they called for hare coursing to be banned countrywide. Speaking to Dublin Live, John Carmody, organiser of the protest against hare coursing, said that they are asking TDs to vote for an upcoming bill to outlaw hare coursing across the country.
John said: "We're here outside Dail Eireann with members of PETA. Basically it's the start of a new campaign where we are asking progressive and compassionate TDs to get with the times and to vote for an upcoming bill that will finally get rid of hare coursing in Ireland, to essentially make it prehistoric and consign it to the history books."
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Hare hunting happens every year during the winter and the practice has also been given funding by the Government. John explained that a recent poll has shown that 77% of people are against hare coursing in Ireland.
John described hare coursing as "absolutely prehistoric", and that it came from a time when people were indifferent to the suffering of animals. He said: "Today, times have changed. We're able to bridge the disconnect and connect the dots.
"We're here in Dublin outside Dail Eireann where the decisions are made to eventually get rid of this hideous practice. But again, it should be consigned to the history books and made prehistoric for sure," added John.
When asked if he thinks the Government will hear them, John said: "Absolutely, our dinosaurs have risen from the dead to bring a serious message that hare coursing should be made extinct."
Meanwhile, hundreds of people were involved in other protests also happening outside the Dail earlier today as it marked the first day that TDs are back in the office after the summer recess.
Other protests included Cllr Tania Doyle and mum-of-four Lesley Anne O'Brien and other parents calling for more supports to be put in place for children with disabilities in Dublin 15. Lesley Anne told Dublin Live that things are "worse than ever" for children in Dublin 15.
She said: "We are back again for the first day the Government is here after recess. We want to hit them for the lack of services for children, we've done this so many times - we started in 2018.
"It's worse than ever before, worse than the last time we were here. We have a meeting with the Minister for Children today, myself and Cllr Tania Doyle are going to get stuck in."
Lesley Anne said that parents don't want anymore "empty promises". She said: "Enough is enough. Our children have to be heard and action needs to happen today.
"We need a Covid approach to this crisis and we want some sort of answers," added Lesley Anne.
Protests were also held about the cost of living and rising inflation, as well as Cystic Fibrosis Ireland which is calling for children with the condition to be given the new drug Kaftrio, which has been denied to 35 children.
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