Farmers want major cull of protected deer

FARMERS AND PROPERTY OWNERS SAY KILLARNEY DEER ARE RUINING LANDS

FARMERS in Beaufort and Fossa are at “breaking point” because of the damage being caused to their land by red deer from Killarney National Park. Roaming herds of red deer, which are listed as an endangered species, have caused severe damage to land surrounding Killarney National Park, leaving farmers with no grass for their own animals, and at a financial loss.

Sean Sweeney from Tomies in Beaufort said his farming livlihood is being destroyed by red deer. “They are eating everything we have. Our fields are gone,” he said. Mr Sweeney has tried, without success, to keep the deer off his land and now is calling for a major deer cull in the national park

However, he feels the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), which is responsible for the deer herds, is not doing enough to address concerns that he and other farmers have raised.

Mr Sweeney’s call for a deer cull is supported by Sean Moriarty who runs the Liebherr farm on the Gap of Dunloe road.

Mr Moriarty says the red deer are eating grass, knocking fences and damaging trees on the farm. “We don’t mind a few but it has gone beyond a joke,” he said.

He said the deer are being attracted to land outside Killarney National Park because the grass in the park is “sour” and inedible.

FARMERS and landowners in Tomies, Beaufort and Fossa, in Killarney are calling for the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to undertake a major cull of red deer.

Farmers claim that their land is being destroyed by herds of red deer who are eating all their grass, damaging land and trees and putting farmers under financial pressure.

Local farmer, Sean Sweeney, says that he is “frustrated” because the NPWS are not culling the deer and leaving them to roam their lands.

Mr Sweeney said that despite attempts wiring is not doing the job and he says that he is fed up with trying to contact the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

“It is destroying our livelihoods. It is so frustrating.”

A cull of up to 300 is needed, Mr Sweeney told The Kerryman.

Farmers and landowners can seek a section 42 to cull red deer - which is granted by the National Parks and Wildlife Service - but this generally only allows for a minor cull of two to three deer.

Head greenkeeper, Enda Murphy of Killarney Golf and Fishing Club said that the damage the red deer are causing is placing a financial burden to the club.

Between 150 and 200 are living on the scenic golf course eating the green and the fairways and damaging all the plants.

“They are meant be in Killarney National Park but they are up around holes, 7, 8, 13, and 10 and 11.”

“The biggest problem is their droppings – it is all over everything,” he said.

“The situation is brutal. We are very frustrated,” said Mr Murphy.

The club estimates the cost of the damage every year is up to €20,000 which includes trying to protect and repair trees; cleaning the greens and fixing turf damage.

Sean Moriarty, who is the manager of the Liebherr farm on the Gap of Dunloe road, says that the NPWS service are not listening.

“It is so frustrating. They need to undertake a cull. It is a fierce problem.”

Mr Moriarty has previously been given permission under Section 42 to cull red deer but he says the numbers allowed are far too low.

“It is no good you have to keep applying for Section 42s and it doesn’t resolve the situation,” he said.

John O’Connor who is renting a farm in Tomies is so frustrated that he is considering no longer renting the land because the deer are eating all the grass leaving him with no feed for his animals – a situation he says has gone out of control in recent years.

“It is costing me at least €10,000 a year. They are eating the grass for 10 to 12 of my cows and no-one is listening,” he said.

Cllr John Joe Culloty says that the situation has gotten out of control and despite repeated calls the NPWS are not undertaking the required cull.

“Something has to be done. Farmers are at their wits end and can’t go on.”