Laois Offaly Gardaí catch illegal hunters

Laois Offaly Gardaí say they have caught two people illegally hunting wild hares. 

“Ferbane Garda recently caught two individuals illegally hunting hares in West Offaly. Items seized and prosecution pending. Ongoing engagement with our partners in National Park and Wildlife Service,” Laois Offaly Gardaí stated in an online post.

Gardaí issued a recent online warning to those engaged in illegal hunting. 

They said they “would like to remind those involved in hunting, that they must have the permission of the owner or occupier of the land prior to entry onto the land for the purpose of hunting any wild bird or wild animal. Section 44 of the Wildlife Act applies. All hunting should be in compliance with the Wildlife Acts (1976 as amended) or any licence issued under those acts.” 

They stated that they would be taking any breaches of the above Acts very seriously and it may end in the seizure of hunting equipment, vehicles, conviction and fines up to €5,000. 

Gardaí urged landowners to report all incidents of trespass on their lands to their local Garda Station or to the Garda Emergency Number 999 or 112. 

“We will be working in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service in the coming months in protecting wildlife from unlawful treatment,” Laois Offaly Gardaí added.