Letter: Brigitte Bardot loved animals and did tireless work for their welfare
A letter from John Fitzgerald (this letter appeared in the December 31 2025 print edition of the News Letter):
The death of Brigitte Bardot has ended the earthly life of a great animal protection advocate.
Her work for the abolition of cruel practices and reform of existing outdated animal welfare laws, not just in France; but globally, made her an icon for campaigners everywhere.
Her tireless work for animals should stand side-by-side side with her stellar movie career.
Here in Ireland her advocacy had an unintended impact on the campaign to abolish hare coursing. This was back in February 1985 when opponents of the practice had planned their annual demo in Clonmel.
A Cork-based campaigner had written to Ms Bardot, asking if she might consider travelling to Ireland to join the protest. She replied, saying she might, adding that she wished the Irish campaigners well in their bid to end the blood sport.
She didn’t turn up, due to other commitments, but camera crews from France and Germany were there anyway thanks to the “Bardot connection”.
Since then, along with others, she supported many appeals and petitions calling on the Irish government to ban hare coursing.
She showed fearlessness and devotion through the decades in the fight for those who have no voice, and no means to defend themselves.
John Fitzgerald, Co Kilkenny