It's being claimed that thousands of greyhounds will be put down if the Irish Hare Coursing season doesn't get the go ahead.

In August Irish coursing licences were suspended with immediate effect following the outbreak of a deadly disease fatal to rabbits.

And it's feared that if the suspension isn't lifted soon, then this season may not go ahead, and the sport may not then ever recover.

There are currently 5,000 coursing dogs in Ireland; some of them will race on the track, while some will be re-homed, but the majority will ultimately have to be put down.

Meanwhile businesses in Clonmel are saying it will be a huge economic blow to the town if this years National Coursing Festival doesn't go ahead.

Barry Whyte reports.....