Wildlife Affected by Crime
Wildlife crime includes offences under the Wildlife Act, 1976 against:
- Land mammals such as badgers, bats, deer, hares, hedgehogs, otters, pine martens and red squirrel
- Marine mammals such as dolphins, porpoises, seals, whales
- Amphibians (Natterjack Toad)
- Wild birds such as buzzards, eagles, falcons, harriers, hawks, kites, osprey, owls
- Flora
Examples of Wildlife Crime
(see Veterinary Journal Ireland and wildlifecrime.ie for greater detail on offences and images)
- Disturbance of bats
- Illegal hunting (such as hare lurching)
- Badger digging
- Damage to Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
- Unlawful destruction of vegetation in hedgerows
- Unlawful burning of vegetation within the restricted period
- Poisoning/shooting birds of prey
- Bird nest interference, removing eggs or chicks
- Deer poaching
- Badger baiting
- Badger sett persecution
- Illegal hare coursing
- Illegal traps and snares
- Illegal wildlife trade
- Lamping
- Poaching
- Poisoning
- Hunting deer with dogs
- Bird trapping
Related Legislation
Resources
Recent Wildlife Crime Prosecutions
-
Kilkeel Man Convicted in Wildlife Crime Case
Wildlife Crime Conviction – Badger Baiting Incident, Co. Tyrone A Kilkeel man has been convicted of attempting to ‘Damage Or Destroy the Shelter of a Wild Animal’. Also found guilty at Dungannon Crown Court of ‘Failing to Take Reasonable Steps to Ensure The Needs of an Animal’ Read more
-
IFI welcomes conviction against Uisce Éireann for pollution of salmon and trout spawning habitat | Inland Fisheries Ireland no
Fine, costs and expenses imposed totalling almost €6,400 Read more
-
Significant successes by NPWS against wildlife crime in 2023
Press Release from Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Published on 29 December 2023 The National Parks and Wildlife Service is making its message to protect nature clearly heard through its series of successful prosecutions in the courts this year. Forty-three prosecution cases were initiated by NPWS in 2023 for alleged breaches of wildlife legislation according… Read more
-
2 Wildlife Crime Prosecutions Relating to Birds
Minister Malcom Noonan congratulates NPWS on two successful wildlife crime prosecutions relating to birds Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, TD, today (16 October, 2020) congratulated the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) who secured two recent prosecutions for breaches of the wildlife legislation. At Athlone District Court on 7 October 2020 four… Read more
