A motion proposed by Socialist Party city councillor Mick Barry to ban from its jurisdiction circuses that use wild animals was passed by Cork City Council on 31 March.

This made Cork the first city in the state to take such a position and only the second council in the state following on from Fingal County Council’s decision late last year to adopt a ban proposed by Socialist Party Cllr. Clare Daly.

The Cork proposal had been publicly backed by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and was passed by 11 votes to 9 with the majority of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael councillors present voting against.

It is understood that Cork City Council will not be introducing new bye-laws but instead that new conditions will be attached to licenses for performing circuses. This should now be done very quickly.

The change will not mean an end to circuses in the city as human skills only circuses with clowns, jugglers, trapeze artists etc can fill the gap. Nor will children be denied the opportunity to see wild animals as the city is very close to the magnificent Fota Wildlife Park.