Too easy for deer to get onto roads around national park

SIR, Last week in one of the local papers there was a mention of several deaths on Kerry roads that were attributed to deer by our now retired corner. He had mentioned this several times in the past and I for one think that he could well be very correct in this assumption.

Sir, Retired County Coronor Terence Casey’s view that deer may have been responsible for some unexplained fatal accidents on Kerry roads have recently been mentioned in the local media. He had mentioned this several times in the past and I for one think that he could well be very correct in this assumption.

While travelling from Killarney to Fossa I have come across deer crossing the road or grazing in the trees beside the main road on several occasions this year. I have also, over the years, come across several deer that have been killed on this road

Last Friday both my wife and I went out to Muckross House to see how things were on the tourist scene. The car park was very busy with cars buses and vans. As we were returning back on the main road to Killarney we noticed that there were at least a dozen deer grazing in the field beside the main road. While the scene looked wonderful, all it would take is a dog to spook this herd and they would have cleared the hedges and ditches in a single bound to get to the safety of the woods. They would not have looked left or right to see if there was traffic coming. Cars, lorries, buses, cyclists and pedestrians would be in the path of this deer herd and the result could have been disastrous.

I also noticed that the only deer fence that had been erected on the left hand side of the road going down to Muckross House has been removed.

At one time there was a stone wall surrounding the estate. This wall was over two and a half metres high but, apparently, was removed to allow tourists see into the park as they went past.

It seems obvious to me that a proper deer fence along all main roads to Killarney Park is not just needed but is essential to the safety of all road users. Failure to provide this is just waiting for a disaster to occur. Do we need a busload of passengers to be killed before taking action? I hope not.

Sincerely,

Michael O’Meara,

Faha, Killarney.