Gary McCartney - Countryside Alliance Ireland

Director of Countryside Alliance Ireland. Countryside Alliance Ireland campaigns for country sports and the rural way of life.

[Countryside Alliance @CAupdates]

🚨Breaking: Countryside Alliance Ireland fight on!🧵

@CAIreland will continue to press MLAs to reject this unjustified and indiscriminate legislation at the next stage.

The case against John Blair’s Bill is clear. It cannot stand up to serious scrutiny⬇️

[Gary McCartney - Countryside Alliance Ireland @CAIreland]

Countryside Alliance Ireland (CAI) has been at Stormont today, warning politicians and the media of the dangers John Blair’s Hunting with Dogs bill poses to not only the countryside, but every dog owner. We'll be fighting this all the way.

[Gary McCartney - Countryside Alliance Ireland @CAIreland]

John Blair's Bill is not fit for purpose, and is an attack not only on the countryside, but every dog owner in Northern Ireland. MLAs should think carefully about how they vote today - the countryside will be watching. We will fight this to the end.

https://t.co/dcRvrgLlrT

[Countryside Alliance Press Office @CApressoffice]

@allianceparty @JohnBlairAPNI This disastrous bill is totally unjustified.

It has wide-ranging consequences and will dangerously impact all aspects of country life: from the mere act of walking a dog, to fieldsports and wildlife management.

It’s rightly been slammed repeatedly⬇️ https://t.co/a282zoiNqt

[David Thompson @NewsLetter_Pols]

Exclusive: Shooting with a dog would be illegal and dog ownership would be made "more burdensome if not dangerous" under a law before Stormont, according to a former Attorney General.

MLAs vote on Tuesday on the bill, purportedly about fox hunting.

https://t.co/5fXvrknSGB

[David Thompson @NewsLetter_Pols]

Sinn Fein urged to 'think very carefully' about next week's vote on the hunting with dogs bill - as a group backing the legislation acknowledges restrictions on gundogs

The bill has been portrayed as a 'fox-hunting ban' - but could have a wider impact

https://t.co/ZRtwCL9q3C

[David Thompson @NewsLetter_Pols]

Stormont minister accused of stoking 'culture war' between town and country after condemning hunting - as MLAs prepare for a key vote next week.

Presented as a fox hunting ban, an Alliance bill could have ramifications for country pursuits like shooting

https://t.co/CyPlkw5KJP

[Gary McCartney - Countryside Alliance Ireland @CAIreland]

🚨NORTHERN IRELAND DOG WALKERS – THIS AFFECTS YOU🚨

Pass the Hunting with Dogs Bill, & the minute your dog is off lead you could be open to investigation or prosecution.

Protect your right to responsibly enjoy the countryside with your dog.

TAKE ACTION: https://t.co/GBeutMbh0z

[Gary McCartney - Countryside Alliance Ireland @CAIreland]

My comments in @BelfastLive on ongoing concerns around John Blair's Hunting with Dogs Bill at Stormont, which "could see farmers, gamekeepers and ramblers imprisoned, fined, or both."

Act now: sign our e-lobby to tell MLAs you reject this bill - https://t.co/Nf5WctnQIX

[Gary McCartney - Countryside Alliance Ireland @CAIreland]

"Both absurd and outrageous."

Baroness Kate Hoey @CatharineHoey takes aim at John Blair's Hunting with Dogs Bill in this letter to the @News_Letter, noting how "potentially any dog owner could fall foul of this law if it were passed."

[David Thompson @NewsLetter_Pols]

The MLA behind a bid to ban hunting with dogs has yet to respond to questions on whether his proposals would mean major changes to current shooting practices involving gundogs.

Unintended or not, impinging on shooting could be the undoing of this bill. https://t.co/NWHp1tDBqz

[Gary McCartney - Countryside Alliance Ireland @CAIreland]

“This misguided bill is a major threat to anyone taking part in any activity where a dog may end up chasing a squirrel or any other wild mammal. It could see farmers, gamekeepers and ramblers imprisoned or fined or both.”

Learn more: https://t.co/VFLktliert

[Gary McCartney - Countryside Alliance Ireland @CAIreland]

Yesterday at Stormont, John Blair reintroduced his Hunting with Dogs Bill, which risks impacting dog owners across Northern Ireland.

At a time of rising costs, housing pressure & long hospital waits, this isn't what communities are asking for.

Read more: https://t.co/01FWScg9hp

[Gary McCartney - Countryside Alliance Ireland @CAIreland]

Wishing you and your families a very Happy Easter from all of us at the Countryside Alliance Ireland!

[Gary McCartney - Countryside Alliance Ireland @CAIreland]

🚨 ACT NOW: Respond to the trail hunting consultation >> https://t.co/HQB2IbrJOG

Although the proposed ban on trail hunting only affects England and Wales, all MPs will have a vote. It is therefore vital that, regardless of where you live in the UK, your MP knows your views.

[Gary McCartney - Countryside Alliance Ireland @CAIreland]

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has urged residents to ‘stay vigilant’ following a number of home heating oil thefts https://t.co/DRaKSZWnmH

[Gary McCartney - Countryside Alliance Ireland @CAIreland]

🌊 Northern Ireland’s rivers, loughs & marine waters should be sources of pride. Instead pollution, nutrient overload & ecological decline undermine these precious natural resources.
We ask what action has been taken - or not - to protect our waters?
https://t.co/jTraqwtFIW

[Gary McCartney - Countryside Alliance Ireland @CAIreland]

It’s time to shine a light on some of the best food & drink spots in Northern Ireland 🍽️
Congratulations to our #CountrysideAllianceAwards Food & Drink finalists for 2026:
@BallylaganF
Heaney Brewery
Irvines Steakhouse & Bar
Millbank Farm Shop
@Sally_McNallys
#CAAwards #EatLocal

[Gary McCartney - Countryside Alliance Ireland @CAIreland]

@cleaver_steel @CorriesMeats See all the finalists here: https://t.co/ORqE5bWP7o

[Gary McCartney - Countryside Alliance Ireland @CAIreland]

We're proud to announce the 2026 Countryside Alliance Awards finalists for Northern Ireland, starting with our butchers! 🥩

Huge congrats to:
@Cleaver_steel
@CorriesMeats
Graham Family Butchers
Millar Meats
Millikens Farm Butchers

Stay tuned for more finalists tomorrow! 👏