SINN FÉIN REPRESENTATIVES in North Kerry have been accused of promoting animal cruelty after wishing a hare coursing group “the best of luck”.

The ad had been taken out in a programme for an event which features the Listowel coursing club.

The ad is signed from the Sinn Féin team in North Kerry: TD Martin Ferris and councillors Robert Beasley and Dianne Nolan.

The ad’s content has been slammed by both the Irish Council Against Blood Sports (ICABS) and the Campaign for the Abolition of Cruel Sports (CACS).

A statement from CACS said it was “disgraceful that in 2015 any public representative would convey a good luck message to those involved in terrorising, injuring and killing Irish wildlife”.

The ICABS said that the ad was “appalling”.

“It quite appalling that in 2015 any public representative would convey a good luck message to those involved in the terrorising of this most timid and vulnerable wild animal for such a sick “sport”.”

Ferris told TheJournal.ie that the ad was consistent with the party’s stance on coursing.

“Coursing is a big part of what rural Ireland is about. It’s well regulated.

“You ask yourself, is horse-racing cruel? At one time, coursing was very cruel. Now, every effort is made to ensure the hare gets away.

“I take out ads all the time for societies in the local area.”

Beasley said he could not comment on the ad and Nolan did not return a request for comment.