Circus animals safe in Sligo….as Fianna Fáil go missing

CIRCUS ANIMALS are safe coming to Sligo for the foreseeable future.

Hopefully, they have no hang-ups as some strong things were said about them this week.

Dumbo and Nelly even managed to achieve the rare feat of splitting Sligo Borough Council three ways in a vote at its October meeting last night (Monday).

Fianna Fáil went walkabout before the vote, with neither of its two councillors, Rosaleen O’Grady and Jude Devins, present for the debate.

Cllr Arthur Gibbons wanted the Council to prevent any of its land being used when the circus comes to town.

However, Cllr Matt Lyons put in a stormer to champion the cause of the circus.

And get this — and this is rare — Cllr Declan Bree sat on the fence!

Room To Exercise

Cllr Gibbons said there is cruelty to animals on circuses and in a civilised society that message needed to go out loud and clear.

He was proud to put down such a Motion as times have changed.

Elephants were taken away from their mothers at a very young age and animals didn’t even have room to exercise when travelling with circuses.

Cllr Matt Lyons said ”I’ve a lot of humanity in my body but I don’t agree with this.”

”I’ve been to circuses and don’t agree animals are abused or ill-treated.

”If this Motion is passed we won’t be able to fish, hunt or anything.” Circus animals were treated better than those on farms. Dogs had been left hanging from gates.

Cllr Chris MacManus: ”We are trying to set an example. I don’t think it’s right to keep wild animals for entertainment.”

Cllr Daniel McGarrigle said he came from an agricultural background. ”The next call will be to close zoos. If we go down this road where do we stop?

Cllr Marcella McGarry said she had listened to debates on radio. Two circus managers had invited people to come and check animal welfare and found nothing wrong.

Cllr Declan Bree said he didn’t have strong views either way if animals are treated subject to law.

Mayor David Cawley said he appreciated the sentiment in the Motion. But the Fairgreen was the only site affected and it didn’t have circuses anymore.

These were Irish businesses, he said, and subjected to regulation.

In reply, Cllr Gibbons said it was about sending out a message to ”stop this cruelty.”

The comparison with domestic and zoo animals was not fair, as those animals were born in that habitat, he said.

Other speakers included Cllr Veronica Cawley and Cllr Jim McGarry.

The vote to impose the ban on circuses using Borough Council property in Sligo resulted as follows:-

FOR (2)
Cllr Arthur Gibbons
Cllr Chris MacManus


AGAINST (5)
Cllr Matt Lyons
Cllr Marcella McGarry
Cllr Daniel McGarrigle
Mayor David Cawley
Cllr Veronica Cawley


ABSTAINED (2)
Cllr Delan Bree
CllrJim McGarry


ABSENT FROM VOTE (2)
Cllr Rosaleen O’Grady
Cllr Jude Devins

via Sligo Today News for Sligo County – Circus animals safe in Sligo….as Fianna Fáil go missing.

via Sligo Today News for Sligo County – Circus animals safe in Sligo….as Fianna Fáil go missing.