Two men charged with hare coursing in Co Down

The pair were allegedly involved in “hunting hares with dogs.”

A hare pursued by members of a hunt in Co Meath (Niall Carson/PA)
An Irish hare. PICTURE by Niall Carson/PA

Two Belfast men have appeared in court accused of hare-coursing on farmland in Co Down.

Patrick Robert Shannon (53) and Damien Maguire (34) appeared before Newtownards Magistrates Court on Monday.

Shannon, from Annesley Street, and Maguire, with an address at Ballymena Court, are jointly charged with aggravated trespass and participating in a hare-coursing event on November 8 last year.

Count one details how the pair were allegedly involved in “hunting hares with dogs.”

None of the alleged background facts were opened in court.

District Judge Amanda Brady granted bail and adjourned the case for two weeks.