The Irish Wildlife Trust welcomes the successful prosecution of two men for the destruction of 3 acres of scrub vegetation during the bird nesting season in 2018 (see statement below from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht). We’d like to thank the National Parks and Wildlife Service staff for taking this case.
It highlights on-going destruction of habitats on farming land throughout Ireland and the need to recognise the value of non-cultivated land. The IWT is campaigning for farmers to be paid for land which is not farmed under the Common Agricultural Policy to allow for rewilding.
Statement from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht received by IWT:
“The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht brought a case under the Wildlife Acts before Judge Catherine Staines in Portlaoise District Court on 17 January 2020.
Two people were prosecuted under Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts for the destruction of vegetation on lands not then cultivated during the bird nesting season, and under Section 69 for the procurement of the commission of an offence under the Wildlife Acts.
The offences took place on lands at Ballydavis, Portlaoise, Co. Laois between 15 and 17 August 2018 and involved the destruction of over 3 acres of vegetation on lands not then cultivated during the bird nesting season.
Both defendants pleaded guilty to the summonses. NPWS Conservation Ranger, Kieran Buckley outlined the case and Judge Staines issued the Probation Act to both the accused. Both men made a €500 contribution to the Irish Wildlife Trust Charity.
It is an offence under Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts to destroy vegetation growing in any hedge or ditch or on lands not then cultivated during the bird nesting season that is from 1 March to 31 August each year.”
