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Family disown dog fighting boss Paisley and Ahern dog trade talk
(about 3 hours later)
A man uncovered by a BBC investigation as the head of a dog fighting gang in County Armagh has been disowned by his family. First Minister Ian Paisley has held talks with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on the trade of dangerous dogs.
Stephen Barriskill was revealed as a co-founder of the Tandragee based Farmers Boys, a group involved in local and international dog fighting matches. The discussion followed an investigation into dog fighting by the BBC's Spotlight programme.
The police said they were reviewing the BBC Spotlight footage. "All who saw those pictures will have been horrified by the vicious and grotesque scenes," said Mr Paisley.
"It is clear that the Irish Republic's law on the licensing of dogs is being exploited to forward this outrageous activity."
A man uncovered by Spotlight's investigation as the head of a dog fighting gang in County Armagh has been disowned by his family.
Tandragee
Stephen Barriskill was revealed as a co-founder of the Tandragee-based Farmers' Boys, a group involved in local and international dog fighting matches.
The family said they "thoroughly and unequivocally" wished to "distance" themselves from him.The family said they "thoroughly and unequivocally" wished to "distance" themselves from him.
The Farmers Boys was infiltrated by Spotlight during a 17-month investigation by the BBC. The police said they were reviewing the footage featured on the Thursday night programme.
The Farmers' Boys was infiltrated by Spotlight during a 17-month investigation.
In total, it uncovered 15 illegal dog fighting gangs in Northern Ireland.In total, it uncovered 15 illegal dog fighting gangs in Northern Ireland.
Five of those are based in Belfast and some of these groups have links to international dog fighting organisations. We are shocked and disgusted that he has sought to blacken such a respectable family's name in this manner Jason BarriskillRelative We are shocked and disgusted that he has sought to blacken such a respectable family's name in this manner Barriskill family
After being taken into the inner circle of The Farmers Boys, Spotlight's undercover operator was permitted access to a dog fight in Tandragee. Five of those are based in Belfast and some of these groups have links to international dog fighting organisations.
After being taken into the inner circle of The Farmers' Boys, Spotlight's undercover operator was permitted access to a dog fight in Tandragee.
He said the scenes he saw during a fight were horrific.He said the scenes he saw during a fight were horrific.
Following the programme, a statement on behalf of the Barriskill family was issued by Jason Barriskill, a relative of Stephen Barriskill.Following the programme, a statement on behalf of the Barriskill family was issued by Jason Barriskill, a relative of Stephen Barriskill.
He said: "We are absolute and complete in our utter condemnation of the disgusting, illegal and barbaric practice of dog-fighting, as well as the breeding of dogs for such purposes.He said: "We are absolute and complete in our utter condemnation of the disgusting, illegal and barbaric practice of dog-fighting, as well as the breeding of dogs for such purposes.
Stephen Barriskill was named in the BBC investigation
"We are shocked and disgusted that he has sought to blacken such a respectable family's name in this manner, as well as at the untold damage that he has thus chosen to inflict upon others.""We are shocked and disgusted that he has sought to blacken such a respectable family's name in this manner, as well as at the untold damage that he has thus chosen to inflict upon others."
The Spotlight team filmed dog fights using undercover cameras
He said the family had raised concerns about dogs Mr Barriskill had been keeping in the past.He said the family had raised concerns about dogs Mr Barriskill had been keeping in the past.
He added they had been "reluctantly satisfied that the authorities had officially inspected the animals, seeing fit to licence them as legitimate and well cared for. He will not be doing so ever again."He added they had been "reluctantly satisfied that the authorities had officially inspected the animals, seeing fit to licence them as legitimate and well cared for. He will not be doing so ever again."
The statement added that Mr Barriskill was "abroad at the moment, seemingly lacking any courage to comment upon his own actions".The statement added that Mr Barriskill was "abroad at the moment, seemingly lacking any courage to comment upon his own actions".
GAA star
The Spotlight team also found that Tyrone GAA star Gerard Cavlan is a major figure in the world of dog fighting.The Spotlight team also found that Tyrone GAA star Gerard Cavlan is a major figure in the world of dog fighting.
It found that Cavlan, an all-Ireland medal winner, is a senior figure in a dog fighting operation known as The Bulldog Sanctuary Kennels.It found that Cavlan, an all-Ireland medal winner, is a senior figure in a dog fighting operation known as The Bulldog Sanctuary Kennels.
The police issued a statement saying they would be reviewing the footage and "any evidence of illegal activity will be investigated thoroughly." The police issued a statement saying they would be reviewing the footage and "any evidence of illegal activity will be investigated thoroughly".