Tourist bragged about paying €5k to kill deer

CLAIM THAT US TOURIST PAID €5K TO SHOOT RED DEER

AN AMERICAN trophy-hunter bragged in a Kenmare bar about paying €5,000 to shoot a Red Deer, a claim that has sparked outrage across the county.

The game-hunter is alleged to have bought a Section 42 permit which, unknown to the visitor, is illegal as such permits can only be obtained by a landowner following inspection from the relevant Government department.

Deputies Martin Ferris and Michael Healy-Rae said they were outraged at the incident. Deputy Healy-Rae has in the past expressed his wish for a controlled national deer cull but this week he condemned such illegal action.

“It’s underhanded. Everyone knows I believe that deer populations should be drastically reduced but I couldn’t approve of this sort of action where wealthy individuals are coming here killing deer for money,” said the Kilgarvan man.

Deputy Martin Ferris said Red Deer are an iconic symbol of Kerry. “They should not be sold to the highest bidder to be shot for sport. We hear of rich tourists travelling around the world to shoot rare and endangered animals and we in Kerry should not be linked to this type of tourism in any way.”

ALLEGATIONS of trophy hunting have sparked outrage after a hunter from the US reportedly shot a red deer stag on private land near Killarney in October. A letter has now been sent to Minister Heather Humphreys requesting an explanation as to why a permit ended up in the possession of a commercial hunting company that was then passed onto the hunter.

It is illegal to hunt red deer, however culling may take place in limited circumstances through what’s known as a ‘Section 42’ permit whereby a landowner applies for a permit but must nominate a hunter to carry out the cull. In this case, the person nominated was understood to be a representative of a commercial company that brings ‘tourist shooters’ to Ireland, predominantly from the US.

Damien Hannigan of the Wild Deer Association of Ireland said the incident brings into sharp focus a perceived lack of supervision when issuing permits and he claimed that the process currently in place in Kerry was not working.

“There is anecdotal evidence that a small number of commercial companies have been approaching farmers in Kerry, asking them to request a permit which is obviously against the spirit of what Section 42 is about. The thought of a permit being passed on for financial gain is simply appalling,” said Mr Hannigan.

He added: “Culling must be undertaken through Section 42 of the Wildlife Act; however, in this case it’s alleged that the person was a tourist on a shooting trip which is totally illegal. We have sent Minister Heather Humphreys a letter requesting information about this alleged incident.”

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein Deputy, Martin Ferris said the minister needs to act swiftly to ascertain the facts of such incidents.

“Killarney Red Deer are part of our rich heritage and are an iconic symbol in Kerry, they should not be sold to the highest bidder to be shot for sport,” Deputy Ferris said.