The Irish hare may rest more easily after the Assembly voted in favour of a permanent ban on coursing.

BBC: Assembly move over coursing ban

The Irish hare attracted major conservation concern following a sustained population decline in Northern Ireland in the 1980s and 1990s.

BBC: Irish hare under threat from 'European brown' hare

This amendment and another proposed by the Alliance party to make the Irish hare a protected species both also fell.

BBC: Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill

It was feared that the Irish hare would lose its protection in Northern Ireland after the Environment Committee decided against putting it on a protection schedule last year.

BBC: Irish hare under threat from 'European brown' hare