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Paisley and Ahern dog trade talk Paisley call for dog law review
(about 1 hour later)
First Minister Ian Paisley has held talks with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on the trade of dangerous dogs. The Irish Republic must tighten up its dog licensing laws, First Minister Ian Paisley has said.
The discussion followed an investigation into dog fighting by the BBC's Spotlight programme. His call followed an investigation into dog fighting and the illegal trade in the animals by the BBC's Spotlight.
"All who saw those pictures will have been horrified by the vicious and grotesque scenes," said Mr Paisley. The programme showed how the dogs were being smuggled into the UK through the Irish Republic.
"It is clear that the Irish Republic's law on the licensing of dogs is being exploited to forward this outrageous activity." "It is clear that the Irish Republic's law on the licensing of dogs is being exploited to forward this outrageous activity," he added.
A man uncovered by Spotlight's investigation as the head of a dog fighting gang in County Armagh has been disowned by his family. "All who saw those pictures will have been horrified by the vicious and grotesque scenes."
Tandragee Speaking after talking to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Mr Paisley said a review of legislation in the Republic would "go a long way in helping the authorities on both sides of the border to ensure the animal abuse is stopped".
Meanwhile, a man uncovered by Spotlight's investigation as the head of a dog fighting gang in County Armagh has been disowned by his family.
Stephen Barriskill was revealed as a co-founder of the Tandragee-based Farmers' Boys, a group involved in local and international dog fighting matches.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. His son Jason said his family "thoroughly and unequivocally" wished to distance themselves from him.
The police said they were reviewing the footage featured on the Thursday night programme.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. Farmers' Boys
In total, it uncovered 15 illegal dog fighting gangs in Northern Ireland. The Farmers' Boys was infiltrated by Spotlight during a 17-month investigation. In total, it uncovered 15 illegal dog fighting gangs in Northern Ireland.
We are shocked and disgusted that he has sought to blacken such a respectable family's name in this manner Barriskill family
Five of those are based in Belfast and some of these groups have links to international dog fighting organisations.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.
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.
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."
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."
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. In a statement, he said: "I would like to again unreservedly apologise to my family, all of my friends, supporters and colleagues in the GAA for any disappointment or distress that they have felt arising our of events reported."
The police issued a statement saying they would be reviewing the footage and "any evidence of illegal activity will be investigated thoroughly".