Elderly Dublin residents have been left "terrified" after "nasty and intimidating" leaflets were posted through their letterboxes over the weekend.
A garda investigation has been launched after residents living near Shelbourne Park were told by an anonymous person that they would be in danger if they didn't join protests against the greyhound racing industry.
Leaflets titled 'Shelbourne Park Stadium Shut It Down' were posted to locals on Saturday at South Lotts Road in Ringsend warning them that they had stayed neutral in the fight against "ending greyhound racing" for too long.
The leaflet states: "We are a group dedicated to ending greyhound racing in Ireland. We are seeking the help of residents of Shelbourne Park to come forward and end this cruel sport.
"The residents have sat on the fence far too long, it is now time to act. If you fail to act severe measures will be taken against you, your property and your neighbours."
The Alliance for Animal Rights (AFAR) who hold regular demonstrations outside the stadium have distanced themselves from the leaflets.
She said: "We normally hold protests outside the track on Tuesdays and Saturdays for one hour at 7pm.
"I get on well with the locals, the security and Gardai who are in attendance during the protests.
"It was actually one of the gardai there who told us about the leaflets on Saturday. They said locals were complaining that they were receiving these threatening leaflets.
"They had spotted someone slotting the leaflets into a house that day and went after him but were unable to catch him."
She added: "Locals were coming out waving the leaflets thinking it was us. I just want to clarify that we have had no part to play in this.
"These leaflets were nasty and intimidating. There's a lot of elderly people who live nearby and they were left frightened and upset."
A spokesman for the Irish Greyhound Board told Dublin Live that they were aware of the flyers being distributed.
He said: "The Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) was made aware by a resident of the leaflet referred to being distributed to South Lotts Road residents on Saturday night.
"The matter was brought to the attention of Gardai present on that evening. The IGB condemns such threatening and/or intimidating messages in the highest possible terms.
"Greyhound racing is a legitimate and highly regulated national sport and makes a significant contribution to the social, cultural and economic fabric of Ireland."
He added: "Members of the public who wish to attend and enjoy greyhound racing meetings are entitled to do so without threats or intimidation from any third parties.
"The IGB respects the right to peaceful protest and has consistently accommodated protestors at its venues in recent times.
"The IGB continues to ask that the rights of all parties are fully respected in the conduct of any protests at greyhound tracks or stadia."
A garda spokeswoman also confirmed that Irishtown Garda Station had received a number of complaints from residents on South Lotts Road about the flyers.
She told Dublin Live: "The matter is currently under investigation and it is requested that anyone that may have witnessed anything suspicious in the South Lotts Road area between 6pm and 8pm on the 23rd November or who may have any other information that may be of assistance to An Garda Síochána in this investigation should contact Irishtown Garda Station at 01 666 9600."
