Children’s magic acts could disappear following circus ban

Shows as simple as ‘pulling a rabbit from a hat’ magic acts could be banned from the Black Box Theatre following a decision last week by councillors to ban circuses which use live animals from city-owned land.

The motion – which was put forward by newly-elected Fine Gael councillor Pearce Flannery at a meeting last week – read: “That Galway City Council lead by example in supporting animal welfare and agrees to ban all circuses using animals in any capacity for entertainment purposes in any area controlled or owned by Galway City Council”.

Chief Executive Brendan McGrath warned of the possible implications of the motion – that it could have an impact on shows in the Black Box or Town Hall if an animal is used.

It was passed by majority vote, with only Fianna Fáil councillor Mike Crowe voting against it.

A spokesperson for the Council explained that the local authority does not have a regime for inspecting a circus’ range of acts and said there is potential for an impact on any shows in the city’s publicly-owned theatres which have the word ‘circus’ in their title.

Cllr Flannery said there is a wealth of evidence to suggest that animals in circuses are stressed and not in their natural environment, and this by its nature is cruel.

He was criticised by Cllr Crowe for the channel used to put forward the motion – using the Council’s Standing Orders, a councillor can opt to have a vote taken on a motion without discussion if he receives more than nine signatories.

“It shouldn’t have been bulldozed through like that. I felt it was a substantial change of policy for the city, so it should have been on the agenda or as a motion with discussion.

“Bulldozing things through without discussion is anti-democratic. Far less trivial issues have had debate because a member has concerns. The Chief Executive raised his own concerns about the motion, because it could have a knock-on effect that hasn’t been thought of.

“If you had a cat or a dog in a show in the Black Box, then that would be banned too. It’s not just travelling circuses,” said Cllr Crowe.

Cllr Flannery rejected the claim that the ban was ‘bulldozed’ through, accusing Cllr Crowe of “petulance”.

“I’m not going to get drawn into political squabbles, as long as that continues, nothing gets done. The motion had the support of the Council,” he said.